Crowdsourcing never works long term, we saw that we NB moderators who gradually stopped contributing. The only thing that is required for search to be made and functional, is for me to commit to standing one up and doing long term maintenance. I am very cautious about adding to my long list of things that I need to maintain, support and update. This also comes with additional costs for the service that we did not account for, or have zero support (free uploads). We do not do ads, and that is how other services on the internet stay afloat. I’ll think about how to get search going for the accounts (search your own media), and maybe I’ll think of the way to squeeze free images into it (maybe) 🐶🐾🫡
I really appreciate you taking time to answer. Trying to bring out that open communication so we can understand the limitations you are working with and why you have your specific directions. I'm a user partly for the currently available service, but also as a user willing to put in additional time and money to help the service grow because your values are way more aligned with my own than any other similar service. I'm a happy customer, and regardless of what can't or is difficult to be done I'm appreciateive for whatever can.
Of course "helping out" is never something that could be done in a snap, you need to build out the interface among the long list of {everything else}! I'm just a fan of incentive structures and want to at least signal to you that you have a subset of your userbase that /really/ wants to help, either with funding, helping foster communication (the "why" of your roadmap or bring attention to external funder) or otherwise! Your problems need to be brought out to the users - i'd think it would help bring out more gratitude for the involvement of your service but it would also help us advocate for you if you want some sort of external support (like opensats). 🫡🫂
All good! I am already experimenting with the search functionality, and hope to bring something usable to the account holders in a month or so. I need to understand how I can set it up so it is sustainable and scalable at the same time 🐶🐾🙏🏻🫂