Explore integration between extensions view and GitHub Sponsors

[miguelsolorio]

Intro

This issue aims to explore what it could look like if we integrated GitHub Sponsors into the extensions view. Currently, extensions are not tied to a single user, so we'd need for a way for an extension to tell us what users they'd like to be added to the "sponsors" list. One idea is having a new entry in the package.json with a list of GitHub usernames that we could link to.

Design

We could remove the redundant information on the installed extensions (ratings + downloads) and add a ❤️ icon that signals to users that an extension can be sponsored by them. When opening the extension, we could have a special GitHub Sponsor button that links to the users being sponsored. One thing we need to consider is having multiple sponsors, do we introduce a new tab that has the list of sponsors? What other information would users want to know about before sponsorin?

[miguelsolorio]

Here's another alternative where we show a "Sponsor" tag in the header and then what the tab could look like with additional sponsor data from the funding.yml file that is created:

[RandomFractals]

please ship the second version with external links for other ways to sponsor.

[Borvik]

We could remove the redundant information on the installed extensions (ratings + downloads)

I wouldn't call the ratings/downloads redundant. When someone is searching for an extension and many show up, it is often easier to pick through the list by going straight to the more popular ones. This is usually a first pass I run to help weed out junk extensions (though I understand the extension could just be new) By removing it from the list, you now have an extra click and have to check each and every extension to see this information.

[miguelsolorio]

Chris (@Borvik) I was referring to installed extensions. The ratings and downloads are useful when you are browsing extensions to install but not once you've installed it.

[RandomFractals]

I did not even catch that in those pics. I agree with Chris (@Borvik) that it would be helpful to see # of installs and ratings in extensions list. perhaps as another line under ext. name and version in that list view item.

[miguelsolorio]

What's helpful about seeing the ratings/downloads for installed extensions?