Peter Vandenabeele wrote: > On 11/15/06, Cor Nouws <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> >> Louis Suarez-Potts wrote: >> >> > also consider charging to be listed. The fee would be minimal and >> would >> > go to paying for sustaining the project. >> >> I think it is OK to ask a fee. After all, for busniness listed it is >> marketing. And they also can exist (partly) because OOo exists ... > > > I do agree that for businesses, it is realistic to pay some money for > this > marketing.
Hi all, I'm not sure if we can simply assume that all consulting/support services are businesses and earn the big bugs with it. If I look at the current list, and according to Peter's analysis, there are many websites linked that don't exist any more or that don't even mention OOo anymore. I think this is not because they all have made so much money that they retired and live in their beach houses and sip champagne. I rather think they didn't see much business coming their way. The very same is true for businesses in other countries. $100/yr does sound not too much for a US or Belgian business. However in Brazil it sounds quite a bit of money and in most places in Africa it mushrooms into a small fortune, when you add all the charges to it that are necessary to pay any money in USD. I think this is not so clear cut. I also can see that someone might offer support and not charge for it, such as retired professionals consulting for not for profit organizations or schools. Would they also spend money to be listed in the "official" OOo list? I also don't think it is in OOo's best interest to charge for a listing. OO's best interest is to have as many consultants listed that do exist and do really make a good job in OOo marketing in their own self interest. If they are successful, then OOo is successful and OOo can ask them for donations and will have sponsors for their conferences. Last but not least I'm scared by the logistics of the money trail with all issues attached. Just my five cents to the topic. Kaj --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
