Gitcoin for app bounties?
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I wonder if https://gitcoin.co/how/funder might be a useful tool to help get software packaged?
A new Github issue queue could be set up for App requests?
Is Gitcoin something @staff have considered?
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@sam_uk not sure. I think the main issue is not how funds are collected (which I think is what gitcoin solves) but how to get sufficient funding. Generally, packaging something takes atleast a weeks work (and this is just initial packaging effort, if you ignore the continuous updates which we can take over). Unless someone has vested interested in packaging (i.e you hire a pure freelancer), this cost is anywhere from 1k-5k USD. And assumes a person who is quite skilled to know docker packaging, app packaging nuances etc. So, really the problem is that these funds are hard to come by. For reference, I see popular issues like https://github.com/alextselegidis/easyappointments/issues/209 which has collected just 700 USD over 5 years.
Or did you have some other idea in mind (I haven't really looked deeply into how gitcoin works).
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My solution in this area has always been to make developments financially lucrative where possible through usage of the product being developed.
For me, the best way to attract more app packagers to Cloudron is for Cloudron to focus on making the platform a profitable addition to any business.
That probably means business monetisation or cost-saving apps being the higher priority, and entertainment apps more of a hobby.
It's probably why Wordpress gets more attention, as its hosting is a common income stream for designers and developers.
Research and community assistance karma seems to be another good way to help, as the more the power users are here to answer community questions and use their eyes and online time to help with research and communications, the more time the app packagers have to focus on that.
Lastly, spread the word on reviews websites. I've watched the community grow in my brief time here, and apps packages from that thanks to that growth in interest and assistance with feedback.
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@girish I take your broad point. The problem Gitcoin solves is transparency and visibility for devs, a marketplace.
Say I have a bit of budget from an organization, I know what I need packaging.
What do I do now? Browse the forum looking for people who I think might be reliable?
Maybe other people also want this app packaged and they may be able to contribute to the cost. How do I find those people?
Maybe I'm just some joker and don't have any money at all, I'm just trying to get people to do free work. How do dev's know I'm reliable?
It's all a load of time-consuming research. If there was an established transparent process it could make it simpler . I open my issue, set the target at $1000 or whatever, contribute what I can. When it reaches the target we see if anyone's interested in doing the work. The people who do good work will grow a reputation.
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@sam_uk only way to find out is ask I guess.
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I still have the idea of an alternative app store OR an app that takes a git repo for an app and builds + installs it on the server you choose. This might solve some issues around making custom unofficial apps more accessible if this is part of your problem
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@sam_uk I am fine with setting up bounties for app packaging and posting a link on the app request post. Is there anything you need from us? I guess whoever creates these bounties can also choose something else other than gitcoin as well, it's fine.
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@girish Great, I'll check and see what budget I have available.
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@girish Gitcoin works from Github tickets, so if you wanted to try the Gitcoin approach then an issue queue where people can open packaging requests would be helpful I think.
