4 ms·

I find it equally annoying to request for money, but not be transparent about it. Equally annoying is that when a request is made, you're considered an annoyanc

by bkor 13y ago

I find it equally annoying to request for money, but not be transparent about it. Equally annoying is that when a request is made, you're considered an annoyance. Deliver an OS has no relation to financial capabilities.

mrweasel 13y ago
What would you do with the information? I think the OpenBSD foundation is transparent enough with their "Activities" page (http://openbsdfoundation.org/activities.html http://openbsdfoundation.org/activities.html). What level of details would you like in a finacial statement from the OpenBSD project? Keeping it pretty broad seems like the right solution. Given all the unsolicited "advice" they got just regarding their power bill, posting every expenditure would result in extreme amount of nitpicking of even the smallest items (perhaps especially the small expenses). To be honest, I doubt that most of those who "Require complete transparency!" would even donate if a complet finacial statement was made. Most would probably find some small detail that they don't like an use that as an excuse for not donating. If you're concerned that money won't be spend on the project, I don't see how any promises about transparency would change your mind.
- ams6110 13y ago
  A standard "Statement of Activities" and "Financial Position" (the nonprofit equivalents of a Profit and Loss statement and Balance Sheet) would be nice. These don't include every expenditure in detail, just the totals in broad categories. Yes, even that might generate some debate but when you're asking for donations you should not be offended if your benefactors would like at least some high-level insight into how their donations are being used.
  - reddit_clone 13y ago
    > benefactors This is not really a charity. The BSD team is providing great value by keeping the project alive to 'benefactors' and non-benefactors alike. As long as they keep the promise of delivering the software with high quality, I don't think people should bother them with minutiae. Their time is better spent on working on the software. My two cents.
- bkor 13y ago
  Within GNOME there is pretty complete financial transparency. There only a few who go over the numbers. I believe in "trust, but verify", though I don't check anything at all. I do see one or two people checking the financial figures. I really appreciate them taking the time to do that. I agree with you that very likely anyone requesting this is not going to really donate. But at the same time I think the people who do verify the financial figures (independently) should be applauded. I have seen other examples (not GNOME) where the lack of transparency caused things to happen that should not have. Sometimes even with the best intentions actually. So regarding: what would I like to see? Nothing :-P I'm ok with a "not going to do that", as long as you don't dismiss that financial transparency (or an audit) does have its benefits.

by bkor 13y ago

mrweasel 13y ago

What would you do with the information? I think the OpenBSD foundation is transparent enough with their "Activities" page (http://openbsdfoundation.org/activities.html http://openbsdfoundation.org/activities.html). What level of details would you like in a finacial statement from the OpenBSD project? Keeping it pretty broad seems like the right solution. Given all the unsolicited "advice" they got just regarding their power bill, posting every expenditure would result in extreme amount of nitpicking of even the smallest items (perhaps especially the small expenses). To be honest, I doubt that most of those who "Require complete transparency!" would even donate if a complet finacial statement was made. Most would probably find some small detail that they don't like an use that as an excuse for not donating. If you're concerned that money won't be spend on the project, I don't see how any promises about transparency would change your mind.

ams6110 13y ago
A standard "Statement of Activities" and "Financial Position" (the nonprofit equivalents of a Profit and Loss statement and Balance Sheet) would be nice. These don't include every expenditure in detail, just the totals in broad categories. Yes, even that might generate some debate but when you're asking for donations you should not be offended if your benefactors would like at least some high-level insight into how their donations are being used.
- reddit_clone 13y ago
  > benefactors This is not really a charity. The BSD team is providing great value by keeping the project alive to 'benefactors' and non-benefactors alike. As long as they keep the promise of delivering the software with high quality, I don't think people should bother them with minutiae. Their time is better spent on working on the software. My two cents.
bkor 13y ago
Within GNOME there is pretty complete financial transparency. There only a few who go over the numbers. I believe in "trust, but verify", though I don't check anything at all. I do see one or two people checking the financial figures. I really appreciate them taking the time to do that. I agree with you that very likely anyone requesting this is not going to really donate. But at the same time I think the people who do verify the financial figures (independently) should be applauded. I have seen other examples (not GNOME) where the lack of transparency caused things to happen that should not have. Sometimes even with the best intentions actually. So regarding: what would I like to see? Nothing :-P I'm ok with a "not going to do that", as long as you don't dismiss that financial transparency (or an audit) does have its benefits.