cross-posted from: https://rss.ponder.cat/post/227964
There used to be a time when Linux gaming was a tricky affair, filled with trial and error, obscure fixes, and things randomly breaking. Many gamers used to avoid gaming on the platform due to those issues.
Now? Things have changed dramatically. Tools like Wine, Proton, DXVK, etc. have taken Linux gaming to another level. Bottles is one of those handy tools helping make the experience that much easier for gamers.
Sadly, the project has hit a funding roadblock.
Hard Work Deserves Appreciation
The lead developer behind Bottles, Mirko Brombin, recently shared an update on the project’s current state. He points out that, while Bottles has sponsorships from companies like Linode, JetBrains, and Hyperbit, they are still facing funding shortages that make sustained development difficult.
Despite having over 3 million downloads on Flathub, the project receives only about €100 per month in donations, an amount easily overshadowed by the server costs alone.
That sounds concerning. 🫤
Mirko also brought attention to Bottles Next, a complete rewrite of the app designed to modernize the codebase and improve performance. He said that they are still working on it, and while it’s due sometime in the future, continued support from Bottles users will help the team focus on development and deliver a better product faster.
He further added:
I am actively working to find sponsorships, I am in contact with a possible funding that could allow us to accelerate development, to pay a small bonus to those working on Next, to give some breathing room to those who are contributing. But here too, it takes time. And that’s precisely why today I feel the need to speak openly.
We don’t want to make Wikipedia-style appeals, with the usual “just one euro each.” But it’s right that those who love Bottles know how things really are. If you want to see Next grow, if you want to see Bottles finally become what it’s meant to be, we invite you to consider supporting us. Even just a symbolic donation, even just a monthly subscription, if done by many, can become what we need to take the next step.
If you use Bottles and want to see it grow, even a small donation helps more than you might think. Supporting the project now means faster updates and a better experience down the line.
Suggested Read 📖
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I have access to none of these options, except SEPA iff Bottles accepts it.
I have a feeling that fundraisers would get a lot more funding if they weren’t so US-centric. I’m German. I don’t need a goddamn credit card. I have money. And I don’t want some private company snooping through my accounts.
What is your preferred payment method?
I’ve considered payment systems many times and there is no “free” option outside of Taler, which requires your bank to support it, and the bank doesn’t give a shit about your freedom. And frankly, most people don’t either.
My preferred payment method is wire transfer. I instruct my bank to move x monies from my bank account to someone else’s bank account. No need for a third party.
That’s costs money and is very insecure.
[Edit:
It does not and it is not. What the fuck are you talking about?Why do you think it’s insecure and what costs are associated with it?]I don’t think it’s insecure, I know it is. I work in an industry where tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars are stolen on a regular basis. If you accidentally wire the funds to the wrong account, there is no recourse. And there are scammers targeting these types of transactions.
Well, duh. That’s not what I’d call insecure. If you only accept a system as “secure” if it is resistant to any user error, then I propose you keep away from knives, cars, electricity, staircases, and basically everything.
You also didn’t provide any rationale for the “costs money” part of your statement.
Yeah, I mean, why wouldn’t I do that when possible?
I don’t know what you’re expecting of me. ACH transfers cost money. It’s as simple as that.
A quick search in their github didn’t show anyone requesting this. maybe just open an issue?
In Germany you essentialy have the choice between a debit card or a Girocard, why anyone would choose a Girocard instead of a debit card is a real headscratcher for me. So many disadvantages for only a few advantages. Especially if you consider that many banks without a debit card also have fees just for having an existing account and often times you can‘t even get money from every atm without fees. So while i underdzanf your points i don‘t think taking a credit card is US centric at all, it is just the superior card.
From my quick internet search it seems that these “bank-issued” debit cards are all either a rebranded MasterCard or rebranded Visa. Both American companies. Given how unpredictable their government behaves recently, and how recklessly the banking sector has behaving for decades now, I would rather not rely on them for something as essential as my bank account.
GitHub allows you to use a debit card, at least in the US. You might want to check again.
You prompted me to read up on these things. It turns out that Germany has been cooking their own debit card scheme (Girocard) for the last 20 years, and it’s incompatible with the rest of the world. But banks seem to be transitioning towards Visa or Mastercard.
Github doesn’t accept Girocards.
TBH, I’m not a fan of yet another entanglement with US-based companies for something as simple as moving money.
Complains about pretty much every method of digital transaction because they’re centralized, then dismissed cryptocurrency out of hand. Truly genius.