Sure mate, buy me a bloody coffee

58 points by classichasclass

ploum

Well, I know the feeling and that’s why, instead of sending money, I often send an email.

In fact, I even implemented "reply" in my own browser: https://ploum.net/2026-03-20-social-smolnet.html

Let’s see if I use it:

ls -l ~/.local/share/offpunk/reply | wc -l 72

So I’ve already sent email, using the "reply" feature of offpunk (implemented only 6 months ago) to 72 different blog and gemini capsule. And because I’ve send multiple emails to some, it means I sent even more.

The reason is that it is really easy: I read something interesting? I type "reply" then "Thanks for the post", :wq y (to confirm sending) and I’m back reading. I believe that will all those chat interface, we simply built the wrong "social" and that "online social" could really be completely different than it is right now.

spc476

I have my email address on all my blog posts, across three different protocols, https:, gopher: and gemini:, and so far, the most replies I've received are from those browsing via gopher: and gemini:, which I would expect to have a higher of friction to using than https:.

I do appreciate all emails I get from my blog, even if sometimes I'm negligent in replying.
- ploum
  
  in the 72 files, I do have one related to gemini.conman.org with what is, I believe your address email.
  
  So you probably received one email sent from offpunk at some point ;-)
tobin_baker

Love the busking analogy.
- dsschnau
  
  Same, it makes me wonder if it would be better to say “throw a coin in my laptop bag” instead of “buy me a coffee” 😆
quad

How is this on-topic?
ginkogruen

With these “buy me a coffee” buttons I like to think that upon receiving a tip the person will really go to a nearby cafe and buy themselves a coffee with that money. Something which they may not have done otherwise.

I don’t see these buttons as advertisements or begging because everyone knows that making a living from these kinds of buttons is absurd.
akavel

Totally yes in general, but I'm not convinced I'd agree on the busking analogy specifically. Sure, sometimes, but typically to the extent I'm aware of it's totally done for money. Well, in my historical city center, there's official certificates you must get to be allowed to play music publicly for monies, and you get officially assigned your strict area where you can do that. You may get fined if you do in other area or without the paper. I'm also aware of musicians going abroad for a primarily touristic trip, but also discussing which town is better or worse for busking to support the costs of the trip.

Unless I'm misunderstanding something?