Re: [Fsfe-uk] Linux User & Developer Expo

[Marc Eberhard]

On Tue, May 04, 2004 at 11:07:34PM +0100, Roger Leigh wrote:
> Before I go into all of these ways in detail, can anyone suggest any
> other ways?  I'm sure I've only scratched the surface, and there are

Looks good to me.

> no doubt many others I haven't considered.  I'd like to have this part
> as comprehensive as possible before I flesh it out, since I'd like to
> appeal to as wide a range of skillsets as possible.  Ideally, I'd like
> to make the point that anyone, no matter their skills or abilities,
> has something they can contribute.

As the goal is to get more companies to contribute, I wonder if we can find
more and better arguments as to _why_ they should contribute too. I would
imagine this to be a crucial part. If we can't get them to recognise the
importance of their _own_ contribution, we are unlikely to get something
from them. It's so to say making a business case for investing in free
software. Things like having a local expert in the package they rely on, if
they hire a developer etc. That kind of stuff. Showing, that this is not
just to be nice to the community, but that they get some real benefit from
it back. Otherwise I would imagine it unlikely, that they would spend money
on something they are not forced to do so. Something along the tunes: "How
you can make more money with free software by investing in it yourself". I
believe at least something like this should go in. After knowing _how_ to
contribute, they also need to know _why_ to contribute. I think both go hand
in hand.

Thanks,
Marc
_______________________________________________________________________________

email: address@hidden, address@hidden, address@hidden
email: address@hidden, web: http://www.aston.ac.uk/~eberhama/