Are there alternatives for europeans to donate to Archlinux ?

Lone_Wolf · 2026-11-12 19:20:16

Someone asked me for help figuring out how to donate to archlinux.

They have used archlinux (with my assistance) for 10+ years and wish to give something back.

On https://archlinux.org/donate/ Click&pledge & PayPal are mentioned.
The first requires a Credit Card, the 2nd a paypal account.
Neither are available / desired.

How could they donate some money to help archlinux prosper ?

gromit · 2026-11-12 23:33:45

Does GitHub sponsors maybe offer an easier alternative?

ismailarilik · 2026-11-13 06:06:26

Buying a t-shirt maybe?

- https://www.freewear.org/ArchLinux
- https://www.hellotux.com/arch

seth · 2026-11-13 09:34:05

The donation rate for the merch is < 10%

Lone_Wolf · 2026-11-13 10:08:35

Merch is not whats wanted. Gromits reply made me search and find a message on arch dev-public ML .

It does however look like the payment options for https://github.com/sponsors/archlinux/ are also limited .

cryptearth · 2026-11-13 15:53:21

depending on how far the donator is willing to go: when i tried to activate google gemini i learned about prepaid credit cards, usually available in convenience stores or gas stations
but: due to EU anti fraud laws one has to give all personal data and perform an identity proof (i had to give my tax number - something not even my bank required)
also: these prepaid cards get detected as such and hence may not work (at least google did not accept it - reason: thier current subscription model is aimed for recurring payments only provided by "real" credit cards, hence prepaid cards are not accepted)

so, depending on availability and how far one is willing to strip: either bite the bullet and setup a paypal account - or ask your bank for one - because when money flows at least within the EU there always has to be some paper trail by EU law - it's a pick-your-poison problem by living within the EU

Lone_Wolf · Yesterday 10:47:23

Let's see :

This someone has never needed a credit card to pay for anything

One time a paypal account was needed to get a music cd that was only available from private UK sources.
(I used my - defunct since 3 years - paypal account for that.)

Creating a paypal account for just one tranaction doesn't seem like a good idea.

Maybe Archlinux / SPI / Github etc should start accepting payments made through an internationally accepted standard that works fine for 90+ countries and has been in use since 1997 ( IBAN) ?

I'll discuss my results with the someone, but wouldn't be surprised if the donation plan is dropped.

seth · Yesterday 10:57:55

I assume they might be able to sponsor a volunteer moderator and part-time private IT service provider with some cookies

cryptearth · Yesterday 13:42:24

@LW
well, as for publishing bank account: it requires a target account which is setup for receiving only - otherwise what would stop anyone to abuse it?
this in turn loads additional burden on the recipient - which maybe they don't want to handle

or phrased this way: if someone donation-worthy not setup a recieve-only bank account for that but rather chose paypal - maybe they just don't want to receive donations via direct bank transfer

such "coins" have always two sides: the one who F*** - and the one who let get them F***

Arch Linux

#1 2026-11-12 19:20:16

Are there alternatives for europeans to donate to Archlinux ?

#2 2026-11-12 23:33:45

Re: Are there alternatives for europeans to donate to Archlinux ?

#3 2026-11-13 06:06:26

Re: Are there alternatives for europeans to donate to Archlinux ?

#4 2026-11-13 09:34:05

Re: Are there alternatives for europeans to donate to Archlinux ?

#5 2026-11-13 10:08:35

Re: Are there alternatives for europeans to donate to Archlinux ?

#6 2026-11-13 15:53:21

Re: Are there alternatives for europeans to donate to Archlinux ?

#7 Yesterday 10:47:23

Re: Are there alternatives for europeans to donate to Archlinux ?

#8 Yesterday 10:57:55

Re: Are there alternatives for europeans to donate to Archlinux ?

#9 Yesterday 13:42:24

Re: Are there alternatives for europeans to donate to Archlinux ?

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