@NextGraph @FediForum @Evan Prodromou It is less expensive to run online events, but someone is bearing the cost, either in terms of labor or server costs, especially if we are not relying on Google or Microsoft to provide free tools for us, and instead rely on self-hosted open source software.

We already have a problem with free fediverse servers shutting down because administrators are typically bearing the cost themselves, and at a certain point, either can't afford it any longer and/or get burned out.

It would be nice if everything were free, but that is not how things work. Even if we got rid of money, there are costs in terms of labor and resources.

Imagine if your employer said "your labor costs you nothing, so you should work for free." You'd be angry and rightly so. But we somehow think that in the fediverse and open source arena that people should work for free?

If you want to donate your time and money to create your own free event, go ahead. The more the merrier. We need more volunteers. But don't think there is no cost associated with running these events.