Yes, ObjectivePGP is backed by the organization of a Fortune 500 company founder. We signed a 1-year long grant agreement, two months ago, and I'm delighted with it.
What does that mean?
That happened. My three years old project got funding. Around May we had the first talk about the grant and immediately (as you can tell by the graph), I got new strength to work on the project.
Commits to the repository
Code frequency
Earlier the project was mostly in maintenance mode due to many reasons. CryptoSwift was way more active, and I focused on that one rather than on ObjectivePGP.
What happened?
First, Canary Mail decided to use my library. That was an excellent opportunity to test the code on a broad user base. Currently, we are collaborating closely to bring the best e-mail encryption experience to iOS and macOS users. This is a great journey I'm looking forward to, and that drives me every day.
Second, I got financial support, so I felt that my work is rewarded and needed. Due to some unfortunate financial decisions in the past, I can't afford to spend too much time for free labor - so this is the perfect situation for me. I can and want to provide constant support for the framework, and I'm a little calmer about my finances.
Third, I sold a few licenses of ObjectivePGP to clients (the library is dual-licensed), so I feel obligated to maintain the code, but the thing that is happening now is not just maintenance. I'm delivering new features, fixes, and improvements so everyone who decided to go with me and use my "product" may feel safe. Just check the recent pace of Releases. The project won't be abandoned anytime soon. Apps like Working Copy and others will only benefit from that.
ObjectivePGP development is flourishing. I have great plans and even more problems yet to be solved.
...so that was the announcement.
Let's talk about CryptoSwift
My most popular Open Source project is CryptoSwift. I started it out of curiosity and have a lot of fun working on it still. In "measurable" terms of "popularity", CryptoSwift outnumbers ObjectivePGP in almost every possible way.
| CryptoSwift | ObjectivePGP | Natalie | |
| Downloads | 3,478,115 | 33,845 | unknown |
| Stars | 4,540 ⭐️ | 365 ⭐️ | 995 ⭐️ |
| Repository forks | 538 | 46 | 65 |
| Daily clones | > 1,000 ✍️ | > 30 ✍️ | > 15 ✍️ |
| Daily visitors | > 1,600 🚶♂️🚶♀️ | > 100 🚶♀️🚶♂️ | > 60 🚶♀️🚶♂️ |
There is one metric in which ObjectivePGP outnumbers CryptoSwift.
| CryptoSwift | ObjectivePGP | Natalie | |
| Donations | 💶 | 💵 💴 💶 💷 💸 |
When I look at the code frequency and compare it with the ObjectivePGP code frequency graph, I can see the relation between these two:
Code frequency
It's reversed, basically ;-(
I know you'll say now that Open Source is not about money, it's about the passion, etc. I do agree. That's why I keep doing it.
But stuff costs, you know. I asked for a logo and surprise surprise all the responses starts at $140. That's fair, to be honest, I should pay for the work so... I would if I had money for it.
*(should be: for credits ;)*Do I know a good Designer who's willing to design an awesome logo for the open project (CryptoSwift) in exchange for credentials?
— Marcin K 🥥 (@krzyzanowskim) November 1, 2017
What I'm saying is that if I'd get $1 for each download, I'd be a f**** billionaire and I could make this library (and way more projects I think of) incredibly amazing.
Do you know how much it is for a security audit of a library like this one? I won't tell you, but I have checked and it's in the X0,000 level of dollars. Obviously, I can't afford that.
Share
So, just bear that in mind that money is not the goal, but donations is a way to keep the passion awake. To me, it looks like a win-win situation.
That said. If you found my work useful, or if you use my work for your job, or if my work saves you some time that you billed your client, this is how you can thank me and let me know you're there.
...or just share some candy.
There you go, that is my manifesto.
