Background

I (currently) release all my SSP software for free, and under open source, despite the considerable amount of time and effort I put into developing this software - I enjoy doing this as a way to give back to the community.

I do however, accept donations via ko-fi, as many expressed interest in supporting and encouraging me ... and in doing so, I found myself really appreciating that some where taking that extra little effort to thank me for the work I was doing... at a time when clicking a 'like button' is really so easy, it doesn't really mean much.

anyway, I decided I wanted to give something back to these generous souls... so I introduced the 'early access program'.

Early Access Program (aka EAP)

This program is a way to allow supporters access to my software (new or updated) before its officially released. I like this approach for a couple of reasons

Supporters get something a little earlier than the 'public', but more importantly can provide feedback whilst Im still in the development phase - so they can be more involved in the development process, so changes maybe incorporated due to their feedback from early use. also practically, it means I can release to a limited user-base, and so not get inundated with too much feedback.

Gaining access to this program?

Simply donate via ko-fi and you will gain access to all 'supporter posts' for 30 days from your last donation. Simple as that

How's it work?

Honestly, I wanted to keep this as simple as possible, so as to make releases easy. Im using the 'supporter posts' features of ko-fi to cope with this, basically I create support for each 'early access release', which contains a link, where to get the updated software.

Limitations? Expectations?

Id like to thank all my supporters for showing their appreciation.

however, I once you start accepting donations, you open up the possibility that a minority may have inappropriate expectations, so for the sake of clarity, Id like to address this.. what expectations can you have?

first, my expectation is that I expect users not to share this private , I trust my supporters. (if this gets abused, I treat this as a serious insult and will cease work on this)

also, the simplicity of this approach, does have its limitations...

I'm not going to time my releases around, who contributed and when.. I release when I want to , and when I think things are ready. this means, if you contribute you may not get any "early access releases", or you might just miss out on one.

Expectation - this leads me to 'expectations'

as I said at the top... ko-fi for me is about supported appreciating my work. it is NOT about getting free software, or getting preferential treatment, or to have some other expectation on my work/time.

if you have some of these expectations then do not donat - please wait for the public release of the software.

I cannot stress this enough... frankly the time I put into SSP development, far exceeds any donations ... these donations are about appreciation not payment for work. I cannot/will not feel pressured around this development work, due to some having unrealistic expectations, thats just not how this works.

as I say, Ive not had an issue so far, as I know my supporters are using ko-fi to show appreciation, but I feels its necessary 'just in case', someone, one day, thinks they are 'buying a service/software'.. which they aren't.