Linux Lite Forums

General => On Topic => Topic started by: Jerry on August 18, 2021, 08:18:21 PM

Title: Linux Lite - Pay What You Can
Post by: Jerry on August 18, 2021, 08:18:21 PM
This is a road I'd never thought I'd go down, but we have no choice. Either we stagnate and accept the big G's ever changing algorithms, or we boldly go where others have dared.

I'm talking about the 'Pay What You Can' digital download model that has worked, and is working on other projects.

3rd, and most important line in this thread...Linux Lite will always be free.

I've looked at revenue projections from other Media partners based on our unique and impression stats and they don't even come close to what Google offers so that unfortunately, is not an option.

This system is Live now and is on trial for an unspecified time. If it works, we'll leave it running, if it doesn't work, it will be axed.

Wherever you see this...

(https://i.imgur.com/WEe80k5.png)

and you think...OMG, I have to pay for Linux Lite now....NO you do not. Simply input 0 into the Custom box or click the $0 amount and then you will get a Download link. End of heart attack.

(https://i.imgur.com/2Lj0Bai.png)

So why the big scary change?

For a while now, it seems we've reached a peak point in earnings. The 'bar' has not moved for nearly a year now. That's long enough for one to react and seek out alternative means of income to get us to the ultimate goal...where I can quit my full time day job and work exclusively on Linux Lite. Imagine that, 8hrs a day dedicated purely to Linux Lite (oh I wish!).

Microsoft Windows 10 as of today will cost you $139 for Home and $199 for Pro from the MS website (19/08/21)

(https://i.imgur.com/vMWQj2V.png)

So what do you get for your hard earned $139?

(https://i.imgur.com/djjp6SV.png)

So what are they boasting that you get...

# Fast start up - linux has that covered
# Windows Mixed Reality - I don't know anyone that uses this
# My People - I don't know anyone that uses this
# Windows Ink - I don't know anyone that uses this
# 4K gaming - linux has that covered
# Paint 3D - lol, that is all
# A reimagined Photos app - linux has that covered
# Microsoft Edge - linux has that covered, thanks Satya :)

What else are they promoting on the reasons to Buy Windows page...

Safer and more secure - only when the power is off and Wake on Lan is disabled (but then there's physical access).
More creative, more productive - Gimp, Darktable, Inkscape and more productive? Thousands of programmers who use their favorite IDE would strongly disagree.
Powerful, modern devices - 11th Gen Intel CPU? Latest nVidia GPU, linux has that covered.

Conclusion

Pay nothing or even 50c for Linux Lite and get arguably a more secure, more productive and able to work on modern machines OS solution, or pay $139 to MS for a less secure operating system that you can't make copies of and share with others.

Title: Re: Linux Lite - Pay What You Can
Post by: kissbaby3 on September 05, 2021, 02:51:47 PM
 8) this is a great idea, i hope this works out, so does this mean that Linux lite donations are not enough ?, i wonder what the monthly/yearly donations are ?, just wondering because this Covid virus is hitting everyone hard financially ....... sorry if i sound nosey or rude, i dont mean too, i am on my 2nd cup of coffee and no food yet.

will a prepaid visa card work  to donate ?, i just want to be extra careful , i already had to freeze my credit and get credit protection for one year, due to the unemployment hack , now T-mobile got hacked for the 5th time in 4 years.

thank you for everything, my desktop pc thanks you too.......
Title: Re: Linux Lite - Pay What You Can
Post by: Jerry on September 05, 2021, 03:47:59 PM
The introduction of pay what you want is an attempt to fill the gap of where approx. 42% of visitors to the site are using ad blockers. If that can be achieved then we're well on the way to getting me to work on this project full time which will make a massive difference to what people in the future will get. We also have a complete 'product' now that has value. There can be the impression that if something is free, it is no good, or unsafe. People are more likely to pay for goods if those goods have a value and meets their needs. We're safer than MS and offer just as many common tools, and they want anywhere from $130 - $200 for their consumer OS. You can get LL for free or as low as $1.
Title: Re: Linux Lite - Pay What You Can
Post by: order99 on September 11, 2021, 03:48:42 PM
  I personally love the idea.

  I am (sadly) one of those people who run an Ad-blocker. There are some sites that are so infested with Adware that one almost has to run something-and then I forget to Whitelist the sites I want to see Ad revenue...i've got to get better with that.

  I don't see any 'scary change' at all by adding a 'buy' option to your Downloads section...you have always accepted donations, this is just a reminder that "Hey, you can make a one-time donation right now if you feel like it." It's actually kind of nice to be reminded rather than to Download, try out the OS for awhile and then remember 6 months down the line that you 'meant' to donate, make a note to do so and then forget again by the time you get home from work... (like I did on Fedora Core 2, Mepis,  Bonsai Linux....)  :imsorry

  Have you considered a Patreon setup where for $5 one-time payment you could provide services over and above the norm such as: Early Stable Releases 7-10 days in advance, Early release of new products (updated case badges, DVDs etc) likewise?  Those who don't/can't pay would still get the updated products of course-just a little later.

   Any plans to create more merchandise (coffee mugs, shirts, 'Feather' pens, etc) or is the profit margin too thin on those?

  I see by your Promo pages that your team is available to customize the OS for individual businesses-is that working out for you? ( I will accept 'Can't discuss' as a viable answer  :dft001:).  On a related note-have you considered a "Generic College/Lab" Lite, a "Generic Internet Business" Lite, a "Server/Network with all options" Lite, a "Multimedia/Gamer Theater" Lite, etc?  If you're available to customize then you've already put  the sweat equity in-and the customization/optionware/Specialty Drivers would justify a 'non-free' option while leaving the (easily-customizable) OS as free as it ever was...

  At any rate-I love the Payment options. It's not like you're holding a gun to anyone's head, or eliminated the 'free' option...so what's the harm?
Title: Re: Linux Lite - Pay What You Can
Post by: torreydale on September 12, 2021, 01:04:00 PM
I like it.  It looks good, and the prospect doesn't have to guess if they can still legitimately download it for free.
Title: Re: Linux Lite - Pay What You Can
Post by: lc6529 on November 22, 2021, 07:39:27 AM
I just noticed this.  I ordered a DVD and USB Flash drive Saturday.

I had planned giving a donation when I realized you had the store and decided to order those items to keep and figured it would help some.

You guys do great work and as others have stated "my desktop appreciates it"
Title: Re: Linux Lite - Pay What You Can
Post by: Utat on January 28, 2022, 01:04:34 PM
Supporting the free applications we use is really needed while LinuxLite is not a simple application, it is the core of your system. Everyone should donate any amount they could to help developers to keep on their good work. I myself will donate whenever its possible for me. Anyone should do the same imo.
Title: Re: Linux Lite - Pay What You Can
Post by: ozaarm on February 03, 2022, 04:43:20 AM
Just donated 50€ today. Yesterday I revived a small old laptop with Windows 8 on it and a password I couldn't remember. The installation took me less time that trying multiple passwords then locating the key combination to the boot menu. Awesome job, hope you can live from your passion one day.
Title: Re: Linux Lite - Pay What You Can
Post by: Jerry on February 03, 2022, 12:47:02 PM
Just donated 50€ today. Yesterday I revived a small old laptop with Windows 8 on it and a password I couldn't remember. The installation took me less time that trying multiple passwords then locating the key combination to the boot menu. Awesome job, hope you can live from your passion one day.

Thank you for your contribution :)
Title: Re: Linux Lite - Pay What You Can
Post by: vint on February 10, 2022, 02:29:07 PM
I think this a great idea and i would like to contribute but security is my main concern.  I am new to Linux Lite and I downloaded and installed it along side windows 7 home premium with the hope to replace it by the end of the year.  I wouldn't have been able to install LL without all of the instructions on the website, they made it easy for me to get the ISO downloaded on a USB without any problems.
Is the site secure enough is my question, if so I would like to donate.

Thanks again for everything,

Vint

Title: Re: Linux Lite - Pay What You Can
Post by: firenice03 on February 10, 2022, 02:49:10 PM
@vint
As a donator... yes, the donations page - https://www.linuxliteos.com/donate.html
Has various payment entities such as paypal...
Title: Re: Linux Lite - Pay What You Can
Post by: vint on February 10, 2022, 02:57:00 PM
@vint
As a donator... yes, the donations page - https://www.linuxliteos.com/donate.html
Has various payment entities such as paypal...

Thanks for the update as I haven't been to that page in a while
Title: Re: Linux Lite - Pay What You Can
Post by: Şerban S. on September 28, 2022, 10:45:33 AM
[...]Is the site secure enough is my question, if so I would like to donate.[...]

I also donated. If you check the URL for the "https://" (SSL protocol) and you see a green lock beside it, then the site (any site) is secured. You can also check the credentials by clicking on the green lock (Validity of the Certificate, the date it was issued, the owner, encryption level, etc.)
As for "secure enough", how can you or anyone else tell that? If sites like Yahoo or Facebook have been hijacked, then we have an idea.

Anyway: After some 24 hours, if everything went right, you'll find your name on the donators list. This means the donation got where it should be.
Check the page:
https://www.linuxliteos.com/donate_people.html[/b]]https://www.linuxliteos.com/donate_people.html (http://[b)

If anything went wrong, then check your transactions at your bank. International banking regulations, allow you to revert any transaction you suspect was forged, in a time frame of 30 days from the day the transaction was issued. So, if you are a little bit more cautios, you can still fix things.

Best regards! :)
Title: Re: Linux Lite - Pay What You Can
Post by: Şerban S. on September 28, 2022, 11:32:16 AM
[...]Conclusion

Pay nothing or even 50c for Linux Lite and get arguably a more secure, more productive and able to work on modern machines OS solution, or pay $139 to MS for a less secure operating system that you can't make copies of and share with others.

I went on the donation path. România, is far from being a wadge (pension) heaven. Most people, barely get from one month to another. It takes a lot of money management skills to make it through.
I studied carefully all the options and I strongly belive that you covered all possibilities. From "zero to hero", it's all there.
As for the comparison with MS, I strongly belive the same: too much money for a low quality delivery, let alone the "EULA"...
I had my share of Win, about 17 years so, I know exactly what I say, from practice.

This is a simple math I made:

If anyone of LL users donate 0.5 euro (USD...) monthly, at an estimate of 100,000 users, that is... 50,000 euro. More than enough for a nice full-time job + expenses.
I know I'm a little bit utopic (or day-dreamer), but still...
So, I do my best to "walk the talk". ;)
This goes like in "for the price of a cheap coffee" (In România, a cheap coffee, is 0.62 euro or 3 lei.). But as we can see, it gets the job done.
Again, I admit, I'm maybe too much of a dreamer...

Now... Getting a cold shower: this forum has some 1500 "fans". If they donate monthly 1 euro, there are still 1,500 euros. A little "behind the schedule", but still good.

Best regards! :)
Title: Re: Linux Lite - Pay What You Can
Post by: vint on September 28, 2022, 09:32:27 PM
I donated a coffee a while back using PayPal, made me feel a bit better for getting such an awesome OS for free.  I would like to donate more and will in the near future.  I would think everyone could donate $5.00 every now and then and not break the budget.

Best regards,
Title: Re: Linux Lite - Pay What You Can
Post by: Jerry on September 28, 2022, 11:12:45 PM
Thank you all for your wonderfully, generous support

Sent from my Mobile phone using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Linux Lite - Pay What You Can
Post by: Jerry on October 14, 2022, 03:17:51 AM
Out of seemingly nowhere, Stripe has decided to classify us as 'crowdfunding'.

This makes us in breach of their Terms. So, no more 'Pay what you Want' until some time in the future...maybe.
Website will be updated in the next couple of days.
Title: Re: Linux Lite - Pay What You Can
Post by: Artim on October 14, 2022, 05:27:43 AM
I'm with @kissbaby3 on this. I have donated before, using my ordinary credit card on the secure site, but with the ridiculous changes Paypal made (and then rescinded, but too late), I'll be using one of those prepaid Visa cards from now on. I did just buy a new coffee cup and hoodie last week. But I think direct donations are the best way to go. If there's an alternative to Paypal, please consider using that too.
Title: Re: Linux Lite - Pay What You Can
Post by: Jerry on October 14, 2022, 06:00:04 PM
I'm with @kissbaby3 on this. I have donated before, using my ordinary credit card on the secure site, but with the ridiculous changes Paypal made (and then rescinded, but too late), I'll be using one of those prepaid Visa cards from now on. I did just buy a new coffee cup and hoodie last week. But I think direct donations are the best way to go. If there's an alternative to Paypal, please consider using that too.


Would love to see photos of your purchases in action! Thank you for your support Artim.
Title: Re: Linux Lite - Pay What You Can
Post by: Jerry on October 26, 2022, 06:52:17 PM
Well, after much toing and froing, Stripe is back on board. At this stage, I'm just going to leave the option on the main page. See how this goes.
Title: Re: Linux Lite - Pay What You Can
Post by: Artim on October 27, 2022, 02:22:56 AM
Would love to see photos of your purchases in action! Thank you for your support Artim.

Wellllll,
The coffee mug is good, but the hoodie was the wrong size. I gave it to someone who it fits. They don't care that it's a Linux Lite hoodie, they just think it's very cool looking! as do I.
Title: Re: Linux Lite - Pay What You Can
Post by: Jerry on October 27, 2022, 10:31:30 PM
Would love to see photos of your purchases in action! Thank you for your support Artim.

Wellllll,
The coffee mug is good, but the hoodie was the wrong size. I gave it to someone who it fits. They don't care that it's a Linux Lite hoodie, they just think it's very cool looking! as do I.


Great to hear :)