Why do people host Lemmy instances and how do they pay for them?

flashgnash@lemm.ee to Asklemmy@lemmy.ml – 280 points –
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I have a 4 core 24 GB ARM VPS on that Oracle free tier that I use to self host some personal services.

I just think it's neat.

What's the catch? How long does the free tier last?

There's always a catch. Oracle has and will claw back that free allowance unless you meet specific criteria or move to a pay-as-you-go tier with a cc on file with a $100 authorization charge, and even then they may. Ask me how I know lol

Or they'll just shut it down with no explanation whatsoever, even if you've met all of their weird criteria.

There are two classic blunders. The most famous is "never get involved in a land war in Asia", but only slightly less well-known is this: "Never go into business with Oracle when anything of value is on the line".

Never go into business with Oracle when anything of value is on the line

Truer words have not been spoken.

That's not even considering that you're not going to be able to talk to a rep about it, or appeal that claw back in any way. Hell they'll even terminate your whole account without warning, not just the VM. If I found out the admin of the Lemmy instance I'm using was hosting it on Oracle I would delete my profile immediately without a second thought.

If I found out the admin of the Lemmy instance I’m using was hosting it on Oracle I would delete my profile immediately without a second thought.

Agreed. I still feel dirty for taking Google's side in that ridiculous lawsuit Oracle filled after buying Sun. Only Oracle would try to make money from licensing fees for APIs...wait a minute...has Spez been talking to Elon Musk AND Larry Ellison?

Oh shit really? You get that much processing power for free? I gotta sign up to that

Except that the instances are usually full. There is hope, but not much