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Who pays for a free service when there are no ads?

A free account still uses servers and people’s time. Signal describes a donation-supported model, while Proton says revenue from paid plans funds its services, showing how the person using a service and the person paying for it can differ.

3–7 min

Questions you could explore

  • How might the funding model shape what a free user receives?

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  • Signal Technology FoundationDonate to Signal

    Signal explains what donations help fund, including servers, bandwidth and development. This is the organization’s own description, checked in October 2026.

  • ProtonProton plans explained

    Proton explains its free tier and funding through paid subscriptions. The model was checked in October 2026; plan features and prices can change.

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Business

How a profitable business runs short of cash

A business can record a profitable sale before its customer pays. Bills may come due in the meantime, making the timing of cash a different question from whether trading earned a profit.

8–10 min

How a profitable business runs short of cash

Business8–10 minA business can record a profitable sale before its customer pays. Bills may come due in the meantime, making the timing of cash a different question from whether trading earned a profit.

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Why doesn’t a factory always reach its rated output?

A machine's maximum running speed does not tell you how many usable products leave a factory. Stoppages, changeovers, and rejected output can create a gap between a capacity claim and an actual day's production.

4–5 min

Why doesn’t a factory always reach its rated output?

Business4–5 minA machine's maximum running speed does not tell you how many usable products leave a factory. Stoppages, changeovers, and rejected output can create a gap between a capacity claim and an actual day's production.

Why does one transaction change two sides of the accounts?

Business3–5 minBuying equipment changes more than what a business owns. Paying cash or borrowing the money affects the rest of the accounts differently, while assets must still balance against liabilities and equity.

Who pays for a free service when there are no ads? | Speech Topic | speaking.app