If I understand correctly, every instance is hosted on a private server - is it along with all the content like images, videos and text?
If so, how is it funded?
Personally, I’d be willing to donate to the longevity of the server 🤷.
This is true. But only the content posted in communities of this server needs to be hosted permanently. Everything else can be fetched if needed.
It’s funded by mostly the server admin paying a couple of bucks per month for the cost of a small virtual server.
Lemmy doesn’t allow videos at the moment, because that would require significantly more server capacity
Even pictures I imagine can amass to something.
I was just wondering in case it’s a big sum, and I’m just leeching off of somebody :D I do enjoy the idea of free internet, with the decentralised open source software running it, but I do understand that at some point, somebody gotta get paid - wether you pay with your data or actual money. More and more I try not to pay with the first, so I make sure that I pay my dues wherever needed.
and I’m just leeching off of somebody
You aren’t leeching off of anyone. This is one of the reasons we hesitate to seek donations.
This instance and blahaj.zone are run by two trans women who are fortunate enough to be able to afford it. We do it, because providing a space for queer and trans diverse folk and their allies, where they can let their guards down a little, is super important to us. We are privileged enough to be able to make that happen.
Now, if you’re in a situation where you happen to have money burning holes in your pockets, then we’re open to donations to offset some of the costs, but the last thing we want is for members of the very community we’re trying to foster to feel like they’re obligated to find a way of donating.
maybe your admin will respond as well :)
Our lovely and much-appreciated admin is okay with paying out-of-pocket for the time being. 🙂 https://lemmy.blahaj.zone/comment/95433
In the event that our admins begin accepting donations, I’ve wondered how the server might be affected in the future if the number of users continues to grow but the funding can’t keep up.
You wouldn’t want to eject users, but the server usage and costs won’t simply drop. What are one’s choices in that scenario? Interesting thought experiment.
