I just got into Flattr and really like it (especially the fact you can set a maximum monthly limit and then go happily contributing without worrying about your budget), and of course headed right over to inkscape.org to flattr the hell out of it (and actually make a flattr monthly subscription), but no Flattr button!

Don't you think it would be an addition for Inkscape to be on Flattr? Nothing to lose, only to gain, no? Takes only a few minutes to set it up... Libreoffice for instance has a Flattr account.

This forum also might get itself a flattr button...

P.S. For those interested, I wrote a short blog post "Why Flattr does mattr" about why I'm so enthusiastic about Flattr. (Not trying to sell anything here, as there's nothing to gain by anyone reading my blog actually. Apart from being flattered of course, in case that would happen...)

I'm not entirely clear what Flattr is, or does. But Inkscape has recently added some funded development options https://inkscape.org/en/support-us/funded-development/. Or you can donate to the Inkscape Fund, at any time https://inkscape.org/en/support-us/donate/.

If you're familiar enough with Inkscape's license, and with how Flattr works, and there's no conflict, you (or someone) might want to mention this on the development mailing list (which is generally how to contact developers).

The admin on this forum isn't likely paying attention. But I could add on my forum, once I understand it more. Although I don't have any "Like" buttons on my site. I'll try to read more about it.

Edit
Ok, I understand a little better. Probably the Inkscape Board would have to set up an account there, assuming there's no conflict with our license. I'll post a message to the mailing list, and link to this topic. And we'll see what happens

Great!

I don't suppose the license will be a problem, but you're right, should be verified of course.

A Flattr button on your site is basically like another "donate" button, but with big plusses. For donators the global Flattr service is much more interesting than separate "buy me a beer" or "donate" buttons. And as a concept, as a system or network, I love the Flattr idea. Makes use of internet power to link people...

The great thing about Flattr is that, as a donator, you can set your total monthly donation limit, say for instance €10 (or dollars or whatever), and just go clicking away on anything you like (provided it has a Flattr button). At the end of the month, your 10 bucks are simply divided between everyone you clicked on.

I, for instance, would like to set aside € 10 a month for supporting things I like, (a.o. Inkscape of course ) but I want to choose who I support on the go. So I throw some funds on my Flattr account (say € 50 for 5 months), and then click away on Flattr buttons without thinking twice. The rest is automated, and I know I won't loose more than €10 a month.
Things I really want to support systematically, I can subscribe to (click twice on the button), which means Flattr will "auto-click" them once at the beginning of the month. Unsubscribe is easy also.

And if I don't want to Flattr anymore, I can pause or stop easily... Just cancel subscriptions and don't click on Flattr buttons, and my Flattr funds remain as they are.

I think every creator, and every person who likes supporting creators (even with microdonations), should be on Flattr. Anyone can be an art/open source/... patron now, with microdonations, and the service is really a plus (as explained above).
So everybody on Flattr! (I'm sorely missing Flattr buttons to click on actually hence my publicity here.)

Here's a list of software that's already "flattrable": Software
Note for instance OSI, and various linux distros.

And here's an interesting article about another Flattr enthusiast (although the title seems to indicate otherwise): "Flattr's biggest problem". The biggest problem being: not enough people/projects know or care about Flattr, so one can't spend as one would like...

Well, so far, only some lukewarm response to my msg to the mailing list. Someone mentioned Patreon, which might be something like you're looking for in the other topic about paying artists by pageview. It looks like artists are getting paid for their work there: https://www.patreon.com/ It's not exactly pageviews, but still, they're getting paid there.

Anyway, for Flattr, the response so far is - if someone wants to take charge and set it up, fine.

Is there any kind of fee for setting up such accounts? Maybe I'll read further into it..... I'm not sure if I want to be the person in charge, but I'll read more about it.

No, no fee, it's ridiculously simple. Up in five minutes. If you just aim to be Flattrd and not donate yourself, no need to put funds in your account either... In that case, there's nothing to do except register, put a Flattr button on your site and sit back while you're being flattred

Will look into patreon, thanks for the link...

Well it turns out there is sort of a "fee". Flattr takes 10% of your donations for itself. Patreon takes 5% plus fees for using credit cards, and a fee for using PayPal. So either way, the program or person who benefits from being "flattr-ed" or "patreon-ed" isn't receiving the full amount you think you are giving them. It would be nice if there were some organization which would give the full donations to the registered accounts. I guess that's when you should just give straight to the Inkscape Fund.

But I'm not sure the subject is dead, on the mailing list. One interested party is a major developer. I've voluteered to manage the accounts, moderate comments, etc. But someone else will have to set them up.

Hackfest is coming up quickly, and this interested developer, and several others will be away from home, probably happily (else why would they go?) hacking away, making inkscape better, during 1 week of April (I forget the exact date) (half the week hacking, the other half attending a conference). So this isn't going to be set up right away. But maybe it will happen eventually

OK, that's all good. There's no hurry of course, there isn't even any necessity. Just an idea.

You're right about the fee, Flattr does take a percentage but I really don't mind, it's like my monthly donation to them. (When I said "no fee", I thought about "no monthly fixed costs" etc, my mistake.) It's all donations anyway, so I have no problem at all giving some away to the people who make it all possible. The one who donates doesn't notice it actually, and the one who receives, who's he to complain, he's getting money for nothing (without the chicks for free however )

And, as always, everyone is free to provide an alternative without asking fees, right? Only, it won't be me, since I don't have the skills, and most people who have the skills are too busy selling them anyway, to not-so-cool-companies usually. I think the Flattr business model (or the patreon one), is very correct. It's all transparent, honest, and yes they do take a small percentage, but I would have given it to them anyway. I think they deserve it for making things possible.

BTW, 5 or 10% margin is peanuts compared to what the big boys take as a margin. If the whole world would work like patreon or flattr does, it wouldn't be a bit worse for it, on the contrary. There's no monopoly in there, there's no dirty scheming and taking advantage like Microsoft, etc. I think it's cool, I would do the same.

Imagine every Microsoft programmer quits Microsoft and starts (or joins) providing a cool service to people for only 5 or 10% margin. I think we'd all be better off.

Anyway, thanks a lot brynn for taking it up and presenting it to the devs!