On Thu, 2010-08-05 at 22:53 +0000, alan c wrote: > On 05/08/10 22:11, Elizabeth Krumbach wrote:
> Free is a choice of word which, in English, is unfortunately > ambiguous. Also everybody knows there is no such thing as a free > lunch. Don't they? I DO know that Ubuntu (and FOSS) is different, and > a catchy phrase would be very useful. Q. Is Ubuntu really free from any costs? A. No, Ubuntu isn't a gift or a charity, it's "already paid for software". Other people and businesses put money in to have the tools that they want made. Q. So if someone paid for it, why do I get their software? A. The business of the patrons of "already paid for software" is always something other than software creation. It's made available for free to increase the value of the software and the numbers of people investing in it's development. Q. So where do I put my money? A. Use the software, assess it's capabilities and find the parts which could be functionally improved for your business use. Go to this website and invest your money in commissioning or patronising functionality which you need. Q. Do I get a say over the direction of development? A. Of course. Anyone who invests their time or money into a software project will have a greater say in it's direction than a user who does not invest. > I asked the manager of a large PC store near me if I could hand > leaflets out and/or do demonstrations (of Ubuntu) at his store. He > asked 'Can I sell it?' I said, well, it is free. He said 'not interested'. The correct answer is: Yes of course you can sell it! for as much as you want to. Remember though that selling the software in most countries creates a guarentee on the seller to provide support and some of that money you charge should be budgeted into investing money into improvements and calling on support services. NEVER say that it's free, it's not wrong, but it misses the point. A bit like saying water out of a tap is free. Well yes technically it's free at the point of use, but there is a cost in maintaining the water supply and quality. For a business and a serious user, these factors can not be glossed over by community/commodity style marketing we attempt to use for individual friends. We must be serious about communicating clearing and effectively the systems and processes that are applicable. Martin, -- ubuntu-marketing mailing list [email protected] Modify settings or unsubscribe at: https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-marketing
