So many people instantly shelling out 20$ (or 100$ "lifetime subscriptions") the moment an app releases in beta, then immediately bragging about it in comments. I'm using Sync right now and it's cool, but calm tf down people. There's a lot of sunk-cost and weird app tribalism going on.
Also this dev must have made some serious bank in 24 hours, holy smokes
This one is more controversial than intended. Since it's my "fault," I want to clear things up:
I fully support the "use whatever you want" faction. This meme wasn't intended to be a trigger against Sync. I just want to reflect the difference between Sync and all other apps. (I missed Connect, but my abilities to create a second Teletubby aren't the best.)
The controversy between FOSS and closed source reminds me of discussions on Reddit. It looks like we are separated into two (or more) groups: the privacy-focused FOSS nerds and the "shut up about the license, code, or ads and take my money because your product is the best working of all" group. Both groups have understandable reasons, and both can have their place in the fediverse. But don't forget, it's the FOSS group who started all this and early adopted (if you don't believe me, check the age of my profile). And this group is a little bit confused why everyone can't wait for a closed source app.
There's nobody who starts an unexpected feature or starts selling your data. Lemmy is FOSS and decentralized. A closed-source app can add whatever they want. If the ad-free pro version costs 20 bucks, then all non-pro users sell with their data, and I bet it's 20 bucks worth. Because free closed source is always free, because you are the product.
PS. I don't want to paint worse scenarios, but remember, WhatsApp was just a closed-source wrapper of XMPP, and Chrome is based on Chromium. FOSS will always attract people who try to monetize it. Some would say: "I don't care." But what if the monetizers start to claim control over the development, because there are "needed features" to get more money out of it?
Can we just celebrate good apps instead of go all out "too indie for you"?
From the perspective of someone who isn't currently in the "Bad If Not FOSS" mindset, this image really gets the impression backwards. To the average user who doesn't appreciate the user-unfriendly klunk and jank that is inherent to FOSS interfaces, it really feels like the image should depict a bunch of FOSS Teletubbies being intruded upon by a competent Power Ranger.
I used to be a FOSS guy. And then I realized I valued my time and sanity way too much to spend more time troubleshooting and nudging my software into just working normally than I did actually using it.
FOSS software as the underpinning of the platform that is then accessed by a closed-source client is, ultimately, the best circumstance we could ask for. Clients are what the user actually interacts with. If that experience is more engaging and approachable, you get many more users on the platform overall, without threatening the sanctity of the freedom of the FOSS platform it all runs on. There is no one authority to make unilateral decisions to derail the platform, while still offering a more welcoming public face. If you can't understand that, or don't care to recognize it, that you're content to let the platform wallow in obscurity.
The hate for Sync just reminds me of how NHL fans always complain about how hockey isn't as popular as it should be, and then when new teams are added they complain about new fans.
This is all everyone is going to talk about for a while huh? As if most of the active posts being about Reddit wasn't bad enough.
If we want Lemmy to succeed we have to do more than whine about this kind of thing 24/7.
My take is; it just works. It just happen to be a pleasure to browse with the app that I paid for an ad-free experience. Yay for small devs making great products.
FOSS is great, but I love to pay for a good experience.
Everyone should use whatever their heart desires, and for me the voyager app is beyond perfect (Android, PWA.) I havent used Sync so it might be better in some aspects but I am content with voyager.
P.S. If you really like a client you should donate any amount to the developer(s) to help them keep their app awesome!
I'm not tempted by it myself despite using it for reddit for years, but there's a weird amount of open source zealotry on Lemmy.
I've seen people complaining that the Nintendo Switch is closed source. Like, no shit.
Glad to see the lemmy community welcoming new users and their choice of app to engage with the fediverse.
Sync is fine. More good apps are better for the platform and really needed.
I personally will probably not use Sync for long. I remember using it for Reddit for a while but noticing the app was updated to slow which over time broke some stuff. Then I went onto the Sync sub and apparently the dev is a bit...sensitive when there's negative community feedback and then just stops for a year or longer or so. Good on him if he can of course, it's not like he has to cope with the internet but I've found other apps to be more reliable overall for Reddit. Let's see how this one goes.
And here I am, after testing every Lemmy App, waiting for Boost...
Edit: It's coming soon.
I will support any indie developer if the product is worth it and the price is right. I’m currently paying Ivory for Mastodon (iOS) and the experience is top notch. The fact that paid apps for the fediverse are popping up is actually a great sign of interest and critical mass of active users.
On a side note, what are you guys using on iOS? There’s a LOT of options currently, but the four that I’ve been enjoying the most are Memmy, Bean, Lemmios and Avelon. I’m sure in a couple of months we’ll see amazing progress and clearer differentiation from each other.
sync has consistently worked for me (so far) whereas jerboa and voyager have had issues connecting to lemmy servers
I didn't know INFINITY for Lemmy existed!!! I don't mind SYNC, although I prefer the FOSS alternatives
I'm a big fan of FOSS, BUT I also have absolutely no problem paying folks for their time and work. Sync was the absolute best way for me to access reddit, and even though it's a beta, it's been such an easy transition over to lemmy with it.
I like the experience with sync, have for years, I don't mind if it's not free or open source, it works better for me, so I happily pay the developer for their time working on it.
This judging people for how they choose to browse is so juvenile. Let people enjoy things.
I'm so happy to see Infinity for Lemmy in a meme. This made my day. Thank you.
This meme got a chuckle out of me. I think people shouldn't take this too seriously. It is a meme after all.
Sent from voyager
