An LWN status update

An LWN status update

I have also wanted an option to pay more -- but I'd recommend against simply adding options to pay more with no other changes. I and a number of others would be willing to pay more for no return: willing but not eager; I don't even remember what level I am subscribed at, and can't be bothered to check. But I don't think the incremental gain multiplied by the number of generous people is going to add up to any significant boost.

I would rather there were higher prices that were associated with some kind of return, even something that is obviously unequal to the extra price. Two ideas: (1) when someone posts a comment, make it clear to readers at what level the commenter is subscribed at; or (2) eliminate all variant pricing. Charge everyone $10 or $15, but offer up the option to "sponsor a starving hacker". Then publish the size of the sponsorship pool, and allow anyone who wishes to partly fund their subscription from the pool. If you think too many people will take advantage of this, require them to submit a paragraph about why they think they're deserving, and send those paragraphs to the sponsors (matched up randomly). Or not. You don't want to be forced to spend time moderating them. Perhaps just send the login id of the starving hacker to the sponsor, with no implied obligation on the part of either.

This still feels like squeezing more out of an existing base, though, so increasing the size of your readership is a better plan if feasible.

I would also echo the call to open up your codebase, just to make it possible for people to make suggestions in the form of patches.