Sponsorship on GitHub?

[ramshanker]

Github just now announced a new upcoming feature to sponsor open source project.

https://github.com/sponsors


Maybe this is the time, we move Prime95 to it? We can also have a GIMPS organisation on GitHub for better co-ordination.

[M344587487]

git is IMO the best code management solution around but I'd be hesitant to use Microsoft-controlled github. If making the effort of switching to git I'd go the extra step and self-host with gitea or similar.

[CRGreathouse]

Originally Posted by M344587487

git is IMO the best code management solution around but I'd be hesitant to use Microsoft-controlled github.

I feel like the structure of git is some kind of protection. If Microsoft does something crazy, literally everyone has a copy of the whole source tree going back to the beginning and could repopulate somewhere else if needed. IOW, any git host should be fine, since switching to another shouldn't be too bad.

[M344587487]

Originally Posted by CRGreathouse

I feel like the structure of git is some kind of protection. If Microsoft does something crazy, literally everyone has a copy of the whole source tree going back to the beginning and could repopulate somewhere else if needed. IOW, any git host should be fine, since switching to another shouldn't be too bad.

That's true, but I think a problem arises when they build up ancillary functionality that people may come to rely on that act as barriers to switching. Take this sponsor function, there's a good chance there's a recurring option which is great until MS make an anti-consumer move and it's no longer an easy choice for popular projects to move on. I almost welcome crazy moves now before the tendrils are too deep as dumb as that sounds.

[Qubit]

Originally Posted by CRGreathouse

I feel like the structure of git is some kind of protection. If Microsoft does something crazy, literally everyone has a copy of the whole source tree going back to the beginning and could repopulate somewhere else if needed. IOW, any git host should be fine, since switching to another shouldn't be too bad.

I second that, although I find it hard to believe that Microsoft will do something crazy that will upset the GitHub ecosystem.


As for the subject, I think that moving to GitHub will benefit the project in many other ways (cf.), but the new sponsoring feature is also quite a compelling reason (specifically in light of the recent GIMPS fundraiser). I think that GitHub sponsoring will serve as a more long-term solution, especially if people will get used to that donation platform.