[sf-lug] Fwd: Help Linux Flourish

[Michael Paoli]

Quoting Jim Stockford:

> i get things like this from time to time. What do
> you all think?

Perhaps just my opinion, but I tend to think:

Build, and support the building of, quality Open Source software.
E.g. write and contribute code, bug fixes, help troubleshoot, test,
document, teach/train/educate/support (and yes, evangelize a bit too).
Donate what one can of the above and/or other resources, e.g.
expertise, equipment, facilities, funding, etc.  Donate to
organizations that help make and promote Open Source, e.g. support
Debian and GNU via Software in the Public Interest:
http://www.spi-inc.org/

I tend to think making Open Source an unquestionably superior "product"
is the best way to "promote" it.  It then quite effectively mostly
just "sells" and promotes itself.  Of course some general
advocacy/promotion is good too - but it needs to be well founded,
realistic, and not over-hyped.

I think it's also appropriate to protect Open Source software from
ill-conceived legislation or other actions that might act to squash or
unfairly penalize Open Source.  In that regard, political action,
watching what one's government is up to or considering, and/or
supporting groups (e.g. EFF) that do excellent work in such realms is
well advised.

I guess I'd be rather hesitant to toss money at "the new kid on the
block" - I tend to want to see how much is being collected, where the
money is going and/or what's being accomplished with the funds.

Other (semi-?)random item.  I'd like to see LinuxFund work out another
card deal to support Linux and Open Source projects.  Or if they
can't manage to do that or get it together to do that, perhaps some
other group that well works to fund Open Source work could work out a
similar card deal (in the meantime, I'll be looking at what credit
card will get the majority of my transactions come 2007-07;
references:
http://linux.slashdot.org/linux/07/04/07/1939236.shtml
http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=38790
http://community.linux.com/community/07/04/02/1356254.shtml?tid=11
http://www.linuxfund.org/
)



> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Abe Osman <ISOsman at comcast.net>
> Date: Apr 14, 2007 1:02 PM
> Subject: Help Linux Flourish
> 
> Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their Linux
> Linux has been making tremendous progress and has become superior to
> Windows.
> Although it is steadily flourishing, it is still not wide spread like it
> should have and deserves.
> 
> A group of guys have started organizing a marketing project to help Linux
> proliferate. You can find more information at the following site.
> 
>         http://tux500.com/
>         http://www.tux500.com/goal.php
>         http://lobby4linux.com/
> 
>
http://linux-blog.org/index.php?/archives/198-Indy-500-and-Linux-Not-Newsworthy.html
>         http://LXer.com
> 
>         This is the same approach that Mozilla Foundation used to publicize
> and
> advance FireFox and has proven to be effective and worth the effort in
> increasing its rate of adoption. If you fell this is not what you agree
> with,
> please do contribute whatever you can and make your suggestion how the fund
> to be used. There will be other programs that were (Linux bumper-sticker)
> or
> can be suggested to be  initiated in the future.
>         It is very important to grab this opportunity to participate to
> advance Linux
> usage.  I apologize for having to send this message in mass e-mail, but we
> just wanted to make sure that all the LUGs are aware of this project and we
> really need the help of everyone.
>         It is also important not to procrastinate since this is very novel
> effort and
> keep in mind that only Dollars will make a big difference.
>         Please, feel free to pass this information on and forward this
> message to all
> your LUG members so everyone could participate and help make this project
> very successful.
> 
>         Sincerely,
>                 -Abe Osman
>