I’m sure the PTB folk (@mariokleiner @dee @Keith) are already thinking about this, but I think it would be really important, essential even, to get clear powerful messaging out about the new funding route on as many channels as possible (visionlist, cvnet, etc). Possibly also asking those on those lists to circulate to their personal networks.
Only a small minority of people will be using this forum and if people are using an existing PTB install, they will not be prompted of the new funding route. You also cannot rely on people visiting the PTB website. There needs to be a big active push across multiple channels of communication if you want to see this take traction.
You will also be dropping all this at possibly the worst time of year, bar mid-summer. People we be rushing to finish things up before Christmas. Thus, I think repeating in the New Year will be essential. Multiple times. Weekly even with updates of current funding uptake.
I think the messaging should be very clear that the fate of PTB depends on this, but it should also not degenerate into a “our stupid ignorant users have not funded PTB, so now we have to go this funded route”. I understand the frustration, as has been evidenced on this forum multiple times very clearly, but that will simply not get you anywhere at all with persuading people to part with money (probably just the opposite). You will be shooting yourself in the foot by going that route.
PTB is still superior to anything I know which is out there, but the landscape has changed. Python and PsychoPy exist. Many folk have moved in this direction over the last years. Having started to transfer my PTB demos to PsychoPy, you do not need to convince me of the superiority of PTB. However, just because something is better, doesn’t mean people will use it. Python is trendy, so as a result PsychoPy is too.
I think it would also be good to state what users can expect in terms of the $. Again, shouting at them that “it will be purely PTB exiting into the future!!!” and how dumb they are for not funding previously, is not an option. Something better would be a set of goals going forward for PTB and some estimate of the $ needed for these. Kind of like what happens on Kickstarter.
I think the $ is more than reasonable for the awesome PTB. But you need to do all this stuff to make sure you get people onboard. Telling them they are stupid is not that route.
The funding mechanism has to work for university finance systems. The rollout of the donation system simply did not work for this. It does now, but people only need tiny barriers to be put in front of the to not do something for the good, and then not to retry in the future.
I would be more than happy to help with the above.
P
