Open-source software has been a boon for people, and there is a lot for the developers to learn through it. But still, these open source software have never been so profitable for the developers financially. To resolve that matter, now the biggest web-based hosting service GitHub has come with a new feature in order to provide financial support to the developers, ‘GitHub Sponsors’.
GitHub Sponsors is a Patreon type of service, that will help the developers raise funds from the people using their codes or the open source software. The feature will allow the developers to create different levels or tiers of services, based on the amount the user will pay. The users will get access to special perks depending upon the tier they choose to support the developers and their work. They would need to pay the amount every month in order to continue to access those special services and the perks from the developers.
The feature will add a ‘Sponsor Me’ button on the developer’s profile, including the different funding options in it. Through the button, users can fund the developers individually, through Patreon, Tidelift, Ko-fi or Open Collective. According to GitHub, there will be no extra charges or any payment processing fees on using the very feature in its debut year, and the company intends to match up to $5,000 in contributions.
“The world runs on open source. None of it would be possible without the global team of maintainers, designers, programmers, researchers, teachers, writers, leaders and more who devote themselves to pushing technology forward. These extraordinary developers can now receive funding from the community that depends on their work, seamlessly through their GitHub profiles.” the product manager Devon Zuegel at GitHub wrote in a blog post.
The company has introduced a social feature, too, that lets the users see who has developed the code they are using, the usage of the code, and who else is using the same code. The feature though is, currently, in private beta and is only open for the open-source developers, the company has already made it open for the users who want to join the sponsorship program.
Though the open source software has been challenging and encouraging enough for the developers, the addition of a sponsorship program can motivate the developers on working even harder. But, there can be a drawback of the same too, as the developers may find their interest in jobs that are paying more.
Yashica is a Software Engineer turned Content Writer, who loves to write on social causes and expertise in writing technical stuff. She loves to watch movies and explore new places. She believes that you need to live once before you die. So experimenting with her life and career choices, she is trying to live her life to the fullest.