Coming from a problem, where I want to support both Obsidian and the plugin developers, I’ve been thinking about an idea that could benefit them both. I’d like to propose a donation plugin that facilitates recurring donations, distributing funds between the Obsidian developers and community plugin creators. Before moving forward, I’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback on this.
A plugin that allows users to set up recurring donations:
• A portion of the donation (e.g., 70%) would go to Obsidian to support the platform’s development.
• The remaining portion (e.g., 30%) would be split between the community plugins installed in the user’s Vault.
I’m posting this here to gather insights from the community:
• Would you find this feature useful?
• Has this been discussed or requested or created before?
• Are there any specific features you’d like to see in such a plugin?
• Do you see any challenges or potential issues with this idea?
Your feedback is crucial to determine whether this is worth pursuing and how it should be shaped. Thank you for taking the time to read and share your thoughts!
I wouldn’t say it’s useful, but it would benefit both developers. And yes, I would be using it (OK, it depends on the value and money).
I see a challenge regarding plugins. What and when would it be charging? I install a lot of plugins. Some of them I’m testing for a few days and then remove when I find “the one”. Some of them install, test, and uninstall. Regularly, I’m using only about ten plugins. So, if “you” will charge me for “use of plugins” as soon as I install … then we’ll not be friends I guess there should be a period, and before ending, I should get a reminder that tomorrow you’ll start charging for it. OK, then I’ll disable/uninstall and enable it again on a Sunday … another issue … and last thing - not all plugins have the same value. All developers deserve their share, but not all plugins share the same value.
As I already mentioned, it is a good idea. Obsidian is a fantastic tool, but plugins make it even better software. But I’m afraid that this is not what the Obsidian team wants (not that they don’t want to support plugin developers, but to deal with problems that money can provide). I would support something like that, but the system needs to be prepared so we don’t get at the end … users and developers.
In my mind, I was thinking about it is a “subscription” you set up how much you want to donate per month (i.e. 3 usd) and then, decide the split between obsidian devs and plugins (probably at MVP it will be fixed). And between plugins, it will split evenly. Although in future versions you could choose which and the % for each.
To process payments, it will definitely need a backend of some type, where it will keep log of installed plugins, and the ones installed when the suscription happens would be the ones considered for donation. Maybe on later versions it will considered installation/uninstallation dates. Multiple vaults would be another feature to have in mind, since they can have different plugins.
Conceptually it’s not about giving to X plugin or Y plugin or being charged for plugin usage, what I am trying is to create a way, in which you think you can afford 3 or 5 or 10 dollars a month and you want to support obsidian and the community. This would be the automated way of doing so. And it will be customized to plugins you use/have installed.
This is a good idea. I would rather support plugin developers who add the essential missing features to obsidian instead of paying obsidian for a catalyst license just so i can get early access to (nearly zero) new features ahead of time.
I guess there should be a period, and before ending, I should get a reminder that tomorrow you’ll start charging for it. OK, then I’ll disable/uninstall and enable it again on a Sunday 
… 
… users and developers.