Hey, Rik Tindall wrote: >> Unfortunately, I don't have the backing of my company right now to actually >> speak at the event and sponsor it. > > Sole-proprietor decisions may flow easier, and I can at least stimulate > more discussion..
Either perspective is interesting - very different models of development right through to deployment. > It sounds like you're wanting a (FOSS) mindshare pitch to programmer > graduates, with job offers. That makes sense, assuming there's enough $ > floating round our side of the industry to do it. I guess you've got a > partial answer already. The best thing that you could take away is encouraging more people to take part in FOSS - it's not just about money, but also about peer recognition, interesting technology, and cultural experiences. Far too many people focus in on the money. > c) taking up yachting has been likened to 'standing in a cold shower, > tearing up money'. Is FOSS another such parallel - community rich & > money poor? We must be getting _something_ back on our enormous time inputs. Ahh, but any contributions you're making are helping without you really realizing. As an example, take some Brazilian kid installing Linux for the first time, uses advice from a mailing list thread that *you* posted. That kid goes on to use Linux daily, and writes X software that has a huge impact on the world. For me that's enough _something_. >>>> The event is called "Making Money in the Open Source World" and will >>>> take place at 5:30pm Tuesday 12th September, 2006 at the University of >>>> Canterbury. The date and precise venue is yet to be confirmed. The event >>>> is part of the continuing series called "NZ Computer Society >>>> Student-Industry Meeting". > > Fair enough. "Money talks. Bullsh*t walks." It doesn't have to be Bullshit. Bullshit is probably what this thread will diverge into. However, the event is a really great idea. If you can encourage an interest of FOSS in even 5% of the people who attend, then it will be a success. In fact, don't bullshit, tell them how it is, captivate them with success stories, and make it interesting. Glynn
