Date: Tue, 03 Mar 1998 16:42:56 -0800 (PST) From: Simon Shapiro <shimon@simon-shapiro.org> To: dannyman <dannyman@sasquatch.dannyland.org> Cc: "Jordan K.Hubbard" <jkh@FreeBSD.ORG>, Poul-Henning Kamp <phk@critter.freebsd.dk>, "John S.Dyson" <toor@dyson.iquest.net>, Mikael Karpberg <karpen@ocean.campus.luth.se>, current@FreeBSD.ORG, Eivind Eklund <eivind@yes.no>, Shawn Leas <sleas@mn26hp6.honeywell.com> Subject: RE: FreeBSD Fund Message-ID: <XFMail.980303164256.shimon@simon-shapiro.org> In-Reply-To: <19980303171106.18217@urh.uiuc.edu>
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On 03-Mar-98 dannyman wrote:
...
> given that Windows95 costs like $80 or something at the store, i would
> expect
> better educated people who are more heavily in to computers would think
> FreeBSD is worth a little more than $10.
If this argument had any validity, DOS would have disapeared in 1985 and
Bill Gates would have either been selling used cars, running for Congress,
or both.
> I'm thinking $50, but that's because I'm a poor college student.
Too much money. My military monthly salary was $27.50.
I would like the ``donate as much as you like'' approach, but that will not
be too effective. Esablish a scale:
10-20-30-50-corporate-contributor-lifetime or some such list.
Another idea: ``Round-Up''
In addition, and in parallel with any other program: Any one who sellls
FreeBSD stuff (WC?) estabishes a round-up program. When you buy a CD for
29.95 (is this the price? I have no clue), you can tell the order taker
(or enter into the web form, whatever) to round up your order to cost+N.
N goes directly to FreeBSD. A bit more of book-keeping but the vendor gets
to display a special logo, the user is caught with his/her hand literally
in their pocket (cannot say ``I do not have it'' :-), and FreeBSD gets more
money.
> Reluctant, lazy and indifferent is not yet our userbase. While an option
> in
> sysinstall that promises tote bags and plush demons would be ideal, I
> think
> a lot of us would at least for the time being be content with an SSL web
> form
> where we plug in our credit card number.
I beg to differ. In any social group, there is a small active minority, a
large passive majority, and (in most cultures) a minor disruptive fringe
group. I bet you not all half million FreeBSD users contribute code,
purchase CDs, report bugs, or do anything except take what is offered for
free and use it.
> Let's get the walking down before we start running flat out on this eh?
>:)
Of course. We need:
a. Ownership/Board-of-Directors decision that this is what they want to do.
b. Control structure; Who collects the money, who supervises the money, who
disburses the money.
c. Guidelines; What we will not do, what we will not accept, what
we will.
d. Collection Plan: This is what we are going to do to get the money
e. Disbursement Plan: Here is how we will spend the money
f. Imlepemntation
g. Activation and feedback analysis
h. Enahancements
Since this is getting serious:
a. Is this list the best forum for this discussion?
b. I have a list of reservations about the whole thing. Not to say I
oppose it, but there are issues that should be surfaced.
----------
Sincerely Yours,
Simon Shapiro
Shimon@Simon-Shapiro.ORG Voice: 503.799.2313
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