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Re:Why is Lichess free? (2014) by nicbou on Friday December 23, 2022 @05:11AM (#34104142)
Or perhaps they just want to build a thing for fun and not satisfy arbitrary demands for professionalism. It’s a hobby. Why would they want to create detailed reports for a board of directors?
Re:Why is Lichess free? (2014) by WhiteBlueSkies on Friday December 23, 2022 @06:44AM (#34104753)
So they got 5 servers, for 2 they pay 170 per month.

That's 85 per server. Without the free servers the price tag for running it would be: 425$ per month.

This seems incredibly low to run a site with so many concurrent plays and everything else.

Re:Why is Lichess free? (2014) by than3 on Friday December 23, 2022 @08:41PM (#34112933)
The problem with your analysis is you are taking that budget they show and assuming it is correct and that they have not lied, and when investigating fraud a necessary component of any fraud is lying about what you've done. Forensic accountants catch people because certain practices are followed, such as double entry-accounting and regular cash flow statements.

What they have posted, is based on their say so with no supporting documentation and that document has been updated a few times, but not regularly as one would expect happens during a normal course of charity business (quarterly or annually). I've never heard of a legitimate charity that doesn't regularly have an independent auditor look over their books every few years and certify there are no inconsistencies (at a bare minimum).

All I was saying is, there are a lot of questions, and no solid information to draw any conclusions from.

Re:Why is Lichess free? (2014) by than3 on Friday December 23, 2022 @08:35PM (#34112881)
> Why would they want to create detailed reports...

They are a charity, and accept monetary donations, and many of these things are required practices for charities to combat and detect fraud.

If they wanted to run it as a hobby they don't have to accept donations or receive beneficial tax status, but then they wouldn't be making money.

Re:Why is Lichess free? (2014) by nicbou on Friday December 23, 2022 @10:00PM (#34113445)
The local Chinese restaurant has a tip jar.

This is the online equivalent. Whether it buys servers or beer, it was hard-earned. Why raise a fuss about it?