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Two significant-ish "akshually"s but also a DEFENSE of @npub10pen...n34f in regards to @npub17tyk...3mgl. On @npub10uth...xdlq #320, @ODELL said: "There's multiple conspiracies with OpenSats and two of the key ones is Knots and SeedSigner. And neither have submitted applications. If you're a developer or a contributor working on either of those things, opensats.org/apply" Akshually: 1.) SeedSigner DID submit an OpenSats application for the project as a whole. The application languished for months (perhaps 6mo to a year?) and was ultimately declined with the explanation that it was easier/preferable to support individual devs than whole projects. 2.) Based on that feedback, I submitted an OpenSats application to fund just me specifically. That was also declined. BUT the rationale was because @HRF had just announced a 6mo grant for me. I was encouraged to reapply to OpenSats before that HRF funding expired. The delays around 1.) were totally understandable. OpenSats is a VOLUNTEER effort and had even fewer human resources at that time. But also: they don't owe us a f'n thing!! They're under no obligation to say "Yes" nor should we ever have the arrogance to think we deserve to demand a "Yes"! BUT the delays to get to ANY answer were VERY frustrating and likely added to some of the bad blood in the water amongst those watching the project closely. Eventually each "later, soon..." response was received with increasing cynicism and creeping conspiracy theories. The "No" was totally reasonable. Getting to "No" faster would have been better. The "No" on 2.) was also totally reasonable. No complaints from me whatsoever. I also strongly believe that THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN A "YES" had the HRF funding not come through. I consider O'Dell a friend and an ally. When I saw him in Nashville I gave him a hug and said, "I appreciate you." I'm not about drama. Not here to start any shouting matches. Just trying to paint a clear picture about what was good and what was bad throughout our interactions with OpenSats thus far. And full disclosure: I'm prepping a new grant application for myself for OpenSats. So, sure, I have personal reasons for not wanting to burn this bridge. But the reality is that there was just nothing outrageous or awful or controversial about our interactions. Circumstance and timing weren't right for attempts 1.) and 2.). Crossing my fingers for upcoming 3.). Conspiracy theories are dumb.

Replies (12)

This is a fair summary. We have put better processes in place to ensure applications do not languish as long as yours did. Like you said, a fast No is preferable to a slow No. Sometimes applications take over 3 months but it's probably less than 5% and we are working to bring that down. We have processed and evaluated hundreds and hundreds of applications since I started almost a year ago. It's worth repeating that the OpenSats Board puts in a lot of time and energy to make this all happen with no compensation. Love your work & looking forward to your application @Keith Mukai!
FOSS is very difficult when it comes to making ends meet. I've been a "user" of FOSS since the mid 90s, and used it exclusively in my professional life since the early 2000s — just to avoid myself and clients becoming prisoners of a particular platform. Until recently — and for ideological reasons, certainly not for financial ones, my only contributions were relatively meager donations to particular projects behind the tools I needed professionally. But lately with OpenSats, HRF and others, empowered by appreciative folks who donate like heroes to make freedom possible, there is finally hope that FOSS might be something that can help pay the bills and not just be a "loss-leader" effort of passion for contributors. Speaking for myself, I wish we could pile-on tremendous support (written, meme-etic, financial, screaming-from-the-rooftops, etc) behind contributors who apply for grants so that they can focus on a particular project. Whether developing specific new features, keeping "working" code working, or reviewing and curating others' contributions, it is required that developer minds are not wandering between the projects they love and how they'll keep a roof over their loved-ones' heads with food on the table. Keith, if you think that my written support might help, I'd stop what I'm doing to express support for you to decision makers. If they're already reading this here, then I'll say that I know Keith as a key player whose focus on seedsigner results in real-world value that many (even ones we'll never know about) benefit from seasonally as they revisit their self-custody setups. His focus also results in magnifying the efforts of new contributors who may lack the scarce historic perspective that Keith, SeedSigner and Nick have gained over the lifetime of the project; I can say that from first-hand experience. Thank you Keith for arriving here and doing what you've already done, for pressing to find a sustainable long-term financial reason to continue being here, and for staying here anyways even when it's difficult to find that reason. And thank you to all of the other heroes keeping solutions for freedom moving forward. In my gut it feels inevitable, but in our lifetimes — sooner than later, is what keeps me going and checks the "purpose" box. Lean on that needle! ...a little harder now ...I think it's budging... Onward!!!
↩ replying to Jean Do
Jean- I could not write that any better, so 'm just going to 2nd and 3rd all of that!! The FOSS contribution to create FREEDOM, is vastly underappreciated!! Zaps sent to: you for all (!!) the testing you do, to Keith for his legendary determination, and opensats for the FREEDOM support they facilitate!! MarcG supports Keith's opensats application!!