The whole idea that a GIMP dev needs 1000s of dollars to write a module kinda rubs me the wrong way. Other members of the GIMP community might feel the same way about this.

I have no problem with making profit. Heck, I'm a major capitalist and a Libertarian activist. However, I do have a problem with those who try to capitalize on the FOSS movement, GIMP in particular. I'll not name names in this thread but we have seen that kind of thing occur more than once on here.

GIMP Chat does not have an official policy regarding the solicitation of funds for GIMP related crowdsourcing projects. I would like to hear from our members in a effort to formulate such a policy.

So, what do you guys think?

The less censorship the better

So, we should just allow anyone to come along and solicit funds, claiming they are developing some new whiz bang GIMP mod, script or plug-in?

That doesn't seem like a smart policy.

I'm thinking if you're going to allow posts that request funding, there should be a place for that sort of thing. Maybe somewhere at the bottom of the forum. Beneath all the useful fora. I propose segregation because this has the potential to degenerate into a bunch of 'Fund Me I'm Awesome' spam that the rest of us Gimp Chat Users respectfully refrain from. Because trust me, I could use a couple of free bucks just for the asking too, but I'm not asking you for it here. Having its own forum gives them a voice you don't necessarily have to moderate any heavier than any other forum subsection and it gives those that don't want to see or be reminded of it the choice to skip that part of Gimp Chat.

I just think there should be policies, and or documentation in effect to assure those funds are going where they should go. If the GIMP community feels they need a plug-in that does a certain task and a developer needs money to make that happen there should be some sort of legal documentation to ascertain to the fact those funds will be used solely for GIMP and not a new automobile.

Incidentally i don't know why anyone out there would pay for Inkscape or GIMP tutorials when there are so many excellent FREE books and tutorials out on the net for just about ANY effect imaginable (or a FREE script).

Just my humble opinion.

I think the current Gimp Development team should have one central financial support system. Individual efforts, although well intentioned, make no sense. Why fragment the origin?

I'm 100% in agreement with this. We are not in a position to vet crowdfunding operations and I wouldn't want this site be involved in driving users to a site where they might get burned. Unless a crowdfunding effort (and website) is officially supported and endorsed by the GIMP Development Team, I don't think this site should be involved in driving any traffic there.

I'm an opponent to crowdfunding for Gimp, but I think we should welcome calls for funds here. I don't think we are going to be drowned by the numbers, and I expect some rebuttal to come from the GC crowd each time. Then potential investor googling for the subject will have a chance to see our opinions.

I'm fed up with commercialism on the net. Thousands of dollars is not funding it is commercialism. Gimp is made free of charge and most plugin and script developers can produce free of charge so these people can too. I don't want to support greed - let them get jobs with Adobe if they need money - I don't want to support them!

I agree with EK on where to put this new link > thread, but maybe further down, maybe on the next page and out of sight.
In other words, I am completely against it, and want no part in it.

Raising funds for GIMP development should take place. I think it's the only real way GIMP can get better faster. I also think Gimp Chat should be part of that chapter in GIMP development. I do however agree with Odin there should be a set place for all fundraising to go to for everyone. Then the devs could divvy up the funds to whomever they find doing an important code edit for the GIMP core.

That place should however have several different ways to raise funds i think.
Not just a PayPal button (send cash here) .
I tried this myself with the t-shirt idea. However when i found the design company wouldn't deliver outside the USA i decided it wasn't a fair way to do it, and dropped the whole idea.

I'm curious - what is the actual rate of posts related to asking for funding vs. other posts? Is it an actual problem that crops up at large numbers/rates? (I am really curious if there are that many posts for things like this).

I'd say if you're seeing them only occasionally, then where's the harm? The community will usually let it's opinions be known when they do pop up. If you don't want to read it, pass it by.

Don't get me wrong, my default position is to make it all as free as possible, but I am certainly not blind to the realities of people wanting/needing to get some form of compensation if possible. Not to mention, in some cases, this may be a more desirable option to get a (possibly) higher level of code quality faster.

GIMP also already has a central funding stream. The GNOME foundation.

Gimp will never become like adobe as long as source is open and shared and downloads are free.
without use restrictions.
I think that if gimp is used with crowd-funding that any assets gained over a certain amount,
should go to the gimp core development or crowd funded money should goe towards sponsoring an event where multiple programmers present ideas etc.
ideas are reviewed as well as programmers capabilities.
A couple ideas are chosen similar to google summer of code.
The money is awarded after completion and not beforehand,
of course donations should never be required or enforced on people.

As far as endorsing on forums I believe unless its a sponsored event with a group of trusted individuals
backing it than it should not be allowed on forums (edited my post since such valid statements have been made.)

If I was to make a donation it would now go to Gimp development team via the link provided by Odinbc, thanks for that. In my opinion the team that develops the software are the ones who are in the best position to decide where any money goes.
I don't have any strong thoughts about crowdfunding, it's just one of those things I tend to skip over.
Gimp is free, but that's not why I use it. Since I first stumbled upon the OSS community I have never ceased to be amazed by the generosity, kindness and help offered by all those involved in it. If the software used were to start operating on a commercial or semi commercial basis then I believe the spirit of the community would suffer, maybe even die. Going of track slightly but there it is.

The frequency is not really the issue for me. Legitimacy is the big issue.

70k unique visitors frequent GC each month and I don't want a single one of those visitors being scammed or having their identity stolen because we allowed grifters to post here. It's also possible that this site could be held civilly liable if someone has their identity stolen and/or their bank accounts are cleaned out, due to some link they find on here.

Since we have no real way to vet any given GIMP crowdfunding project and no way to know the outcome, I'm just not very comfortable with GIMP Chat being involved in promoting any such venture.

I had no idea there was a donation page for the gimp core development team. As far as I'm concerned, that's the only legit place gimp can ask me for money. And now that I know it exists (Thanks Odin) I'll funnel a little of my spare change their way as it becomes available to me.

I've never been a fan of crowdfunding. It just all seems so fishy. You post up a page of good intentions and front a happy smile and the bucks supposedly just roll in. There's no real way to verify who these people are, what their true intent is or if you will ever actually see what you paid for if you donate.

At least with the gimp donation link, you already know, you're using the product every day and giving them their cut is like paying for a service that's been there all along. I would even go as far as saying there should be more exposure for that particular link on this site. Maybe even at the very top. Then if crowdfunding and begging posts do crop up, you can refer them to the 'we do our part already' link up there.

Just a quick note, but the GIMP devs apparently are OK with this approach (somewhat) as well (also, the particular dev for the symmetric painting is Jehan, not a random person):

Look at http://www.gimp.org/ for the News item from 2013-09-23...

I didn't liked the message you refer
But i do agree also that the less censorship the better

So what i suggest is to accept the crow-funding message but also accept messages where the same message is even heavily criticised

yes i know this may lead to flames but in case there are rules to define what correct and what ..over the top

As example direct insult or purely ideologue attack are strictly forbidden while even severe critique to WHAT offered (not to WHO ,except in case of false claims, as pretend to be a core developer when is not true ) should be allowed




The gimp staff accept donation but somebody may be not fully satisfied of their use.
Here i must say that whatever the rules would always be somebody not fully satisfied, in general or for a peculiar case

And i would find awful and far to be constructive discussions on the rules ,instead i consider the possibility that "not standard" request could be complementary or synergistic .

To summarize i think anybody should be free to ask, as everybody should be free not only to refuse but even to criticize if with good arguments the request
(just to give a example of critique referring to the crow-funding message
1 i have no clear who is the authorwhat previous contribution did the author to gimp or other FOSS
i would appreciate more details here, and details that may be double checked

2 i found even less clear how he calculated the money he ask
And what if at the end he will found out that much more or much less time will be needed

3) and what in case he will fail? He will simply keep the money because even if his project failed he worked hard to it ?
Or he will refund ? (apparently the first and even if i don't want make accusations on that case, i must say tricksters of all sort may take profit of similar possibility )

hmm I think ek22 also has a valid point, about the donation link for GIMP really needs better PR and exposure.

PR and expsure are good points but for me would have no effect, simply because i never do "generic" donation , that are the only accepted...here i must admit that are the only accepted for excellent reasons, excellent as far rules that don't take in consideration possible exceptions may be good

But even if the reasons are excellent they don't coincide with my interest