Would Mining be viable for a smaller site?

[hireshi]

I'd obviously bring it up with the users first, and use some sort of user control panel, where users can decide how much CPU they want to use. If the users were against it, I would look for other ways.

Our site is AD free and will remain that way, but I wouldn't even try this if it wasn't viable. That's why I wondered how long it would potentially take ~~ Looking to cover roughly 40-50 USD a month.

[contrail]

If you can get a reliable amount of visitors that idle, 40-50 USD should be easy, my recommendation is to set a goal for each user and offer some kinda incentive to the user that mines the most.

[Sid]

...I wouldn't even try this if it wasn't viable.

Why not? [And how will you know unless you try?]

It doesn't appear to be too complicated or expensive to set up.

You would learn (technical skills) from the experience.

Assuming you were upfront with your users, about a trial implementation they could opt out of, then they will have a) nothing to complain about and b) something to talk about--which would generate posts.

And it would serve as a reminder to them that sites cost money to run. So even if they didn't support this particular method it might encourage them to make more traditional donations.

And the discussion it would generate would give you a better idea of how they felt about supporting the site via this particular means or others.

It might turn out not to yield much income but doing it openly, with an opt-out, doesn't appear to have any significant downsides.

[contrail]

...I wouldn't even try this if it wasn't viable.

Why not? [And how will you know unless you try?]

It doesn't appear to be too complicated or expensive to set up.

You would learn (technical skills) from the experience.

Assuming you were upfront with your users, about a trial implementation they could opt out of, then they will have a) nothing to complain about and b) something to talk about--which would generate posts.

And it would serve as a reminder to them that sites cost money to run. So even if they didn't support this particular method it might encourage them to make more traditional donations.

And the discussion it would generate would give you a better idea of how they felt about supporting the site via this particular means or others.

It might turn out not to yield much income but doing it openly, with an opt-out, doesn't appear to have any significant downsides.

I would think of it as a plus for users, they have more options to help run the site than just ads. Some people will do both and some people will do just one. Some people might do neither. Just make sure you are upfront so your users don't feel like they are getting the other end of the stick. https://torrentfreak.com/cloudflare-bans...rs-171004/