KDE Plasma Copies Thunderbird's Donation Success

Summary

The video discusses the KDE project's initiative to request donations through a yearly system notification in the Plasma desktop environment, starting with version 6.2. The script praises Thunderbird's donation prompts and calls for a similar model in KDE. It addresses concerns about the frequency and potential annoyance of such prompts, emphasizing the need for financial support to sustain the project. The video also highlights the importance of making it easy for users to donate and the potential benefits of increased funding, such as hiring more developers and expanding KDE's reach.

Takeaways

• 🌐 Thunderbird's donation prompts have been praised for their effectiveness and are suggested as a model for other open-source projects like KDE Plasma.
• 📅 KDE Plasma will introduce an annual system notification for donations starting from version 6.2, shown once a year in December.
• 🔍 The notification is designed to be unobtrusive, appearing only once a year, and can be permanently disabled if users find it bothersome.
• 💡 The initiative aims to raise awareness and funds for KDE, targeting users who might not be aware of or engaged with KDE's donation efforts.
• 💼 KDE's financial sustainability and growth rely on community support, and the new notification strategy is expected to bolster these aspects.
• 🌟 The success of similar donation prompts in other software like Thunderbird and Wikimedia is highlighted as a benchmark for KDE's approach.
• 📝 There's an ongoing discussion about improving the donation page to provide more information and make it more compelling for potential donors.
• 🗓️ The choice of December for the donation notification aligns with the festive season, a time when people are generally more inclined to donate.
• 💭 Concerns about the notification being perceived as intrusive or annoying are acknowledged, with the option to disable it being a key consideration.
• 🚀 The long-term goals for KDE with increased funding include hiring more staff, enhancing software development, and expanding KDE's reach.

Q & A

What is the main subject discussed in the transcript?

The main subject discussed in the transcript is the implementation of a yearly donation notification in the KDE Plasma desktop environment, starting with version 6.2, as a means to increase financial support for the project.

Why did Thunderbird's donation model receive praise?

Thunderbird's donation model was praised because it introduced a rework of its donation prompts that appeared during significant software upgrades, striking a balance that did not overly annoy users while effectively soliciting donations.

How frequently will the KDE Plasma donation notification appear?

The KDE Plasma donation notification will appear once per year, in December, and will not reappear for another year unless the user opts to disable it permanently.

What is the rationale behind choosing December for the donation notification?

December was chosen for the donation notification because it is a time when many countries have celebrations and people are generally more inclined to give, aligning with KDE's annual fundraisers.

What is the potential benefit of showing the donation notification directly in the software?

Showing the donation notification directly in the software, such as within the KDE Plasma desktop, is intended to increase visibility and accessibility, making it more convenient for users to donate and thus potentially increasing the number of donations.

What concerns were raised about the donation notification being perceived as 'nagging' for regular donors?

The concern was that regular donors who contribute annually might find the yearly notification annoying or intrusive, as they already support the project consistently.

How can users permanently disable the donation notification if they choose to?

Users have the option to permanently disable the donation notification through system settings, ensuring they will not be prompted again if they do not wish to see it.

What is the current status of the donation notification feature in the KDE Plasma development?

As of the transcript, the donation notification feature is being implemented and is planned to be introduced in KDE Plasma 6.2, with potential for minor modifications before release.

What are some of the future goals for KDE if the donation notification proves successful?

If the donation notification is successful, KDE aims to use the additional funding to offer full-time employment to current contributors, expand promotional activities, and potentially create a next-generation KDE OS for institutional use.

How does the KDE project currently solicit donations outside of the proposed notification?

KDE currently solicits donations through various channels including during events, via blog posts, and through social media campaigns, but the transcript suggests that these methods may not be reaching all potential donors effectively.

What is the potential impact on KDE's financial sustainability if the donation notification is successful?

The success of the donation notification could significantly improve KDE's financial sustainability, allowing the organization to grow, expand initiatives, and potentially offer more paid work to contributors.