I guess I look at it like this. One, I’m not on the corner asking people walking by for money. And I’m certainly not asking for free money. Asking for a “tip” or a “beer” is a far cry from standing outside and asking for money. Just standing there, not doing anything for it, but just asking.

your comparing apples and oranges Ben. If I take the time and effort to make a website, or blog, and I offer something of value, whether it’s “tips and tricks”, or “how to’s”, or simply some sort of entertainment I should be compensated for my efforts.

If I have a button on my site asking for a beer it’s a tip jar, and just like real jobs where you make tips, some are good tips, some are poor, and sometimes you don’t get a tip. If a user where to buy me a beer (on my website) I would be thankful, it’s not greedy as someone mentioned above.

There is nothing wrong with this if your information is of value a “buy me a beer” donate button isn’t panhandling. It’s a way for people to appreciate your work. Users will either use it or not. It’s always up to the end users.

I have often left a couple bucks in a bloggers paypal account because their article was entertaining (made me laugh) or the blog post helped me figure something out (a computer problem). there’s no reason why you can’t do this.

If you think it’s panhandling, or greedy, you are basically convinced that you are aren’t worth making money off your blog. Why not add one and see what happens.

Users have to be told what to do on a website, and putting out a simple message that says “Like my blog?, why not buy me a beer” is a great way break the ice and let people know that you need the support to keep your blog going without being a douche about it and to be compensated for your time and effort.

Honestly I am going to add some sort of “Buy us a Beer” or “Buy us a Coffe” or “buy us a Cookie!” or something like that.

Because I would rather have people go to my site and enjoy it and donate a couple of bucks, rather than saturate my site with Advertising. Maybe if my site ever got big enough I could get one or two sponsors, but users are getting tired of ads, and most blogs put way to many. I hate it when they are in the blog post and you have to scroll past them to keep reading.

I would rather a couple of bucks from a end user that really appreciates my website vs. ad clutter.

The people that have an issue with a donate button, or asking for donations really just have an issue with their own self worth.

You have to understand that there is nothing wrong with being supported by your users who enjoy what you do. Don’t feel bad about it, enjoy it, and appreciate it. Just my two cents.

In principle, should a blogger have as her intention to edify the Church, then I see nothing wrong for her to have a “support this blog” on her blog page. And, if it is actually morally okay, then,in principle putting a “buy a beer” button is not immoral. The mere placing of a support button on your blog, in and of itself, is morally neutral. Primarily, what makes it immoral is the intent of the blogger.

Rather than making sweeping generalizations, I suggest looking critically at each instance to insure you are not calling someone innocent an evil person. How do you know he is not an Iranian student fighting for democracy or a missionary penniless in Thailand?

If a blogger is working hard to produce quality content then why would it be wrong for them to ask for a donation? Isn’t their time worth it? Don’t you think they have bills to pay too, such as hosting and Internet? And what if their computer crashes and they need a new one; you don’t think that it would be a kind gesture on your part to give them a donation that could go towards helping them keep up with their costs?

I just spent about 5 hours the other day working on a page for my readers. In fact, I already put hundreds of dollars into my blog to make it a valuable resource to my readers. I don’t ask for donations at this time, but to try to make me feel bad for doing so is immoral.

Seriously, buying the guy a beer is simpler, hes done a good job, rich or not really irrelevant