maynoth
November 14th, 2005, 01:27 AM
I think if Ubuntu is going to take off it is going to need more development funds. It will have to evolve to the point that any person can use and install without understanding the CLI. Mr Shuttleworth is an awesome guy but even a rich philanthropist like him will at some point quit funding this project. I think the time is now to begin discussing ways for canonical to start standing on its own feet. In any case any extra money would speed up development. I want to see Microsoft die a horrible swift death, the more Canonical has to spend on R&D the faster that will happen.
Here are some ideas I have had to help boost revenue.
1. Offer an Ubuntu Linux Certification (like Comptia etc)
2. Sell Training Materials (Books, DVDs, Flashcards, Software, etc.)
3. Sell Ubuntu Merchandise (shirts, hats, plushies, backpacks, etc.)
4. A Secured Cash-back Ubuntu Credit Card, where all profit went to Canonical Inc. (no risk to canonical because it is a secured card)
5. Offer Supporters and die hard fans of ubuntu a chance give money without donating out of their own pocket. Perhaps like a program that loads at start-up which displays scrolling ads (which you can rent out) and might use their computer resources while idle to do distributed computing work (also which you can rent out). This could be a totally voluntary program and be offered as a non-bundled separate download for windows, macOS, ubuntu etc... this way no one could accuse you of installing spy-ware on their machines etc. You could ask people to run it to help support ubuntu and make it a community wide effort. I am sure it would be able to generate lots of revenue. Maybe also you could have a reward system to receive ubuntu merchandice after so many hours were completed. (I would run this 24X7 to help support the cause)
6. Build a Separate Commercial Project... Like PayBuntu or something... which would include a DVD Player, XMMS, Mplayer, etc. with all the non-free software that Ubuntu is missing... Maybe polish it over like Xandros etc. (hey I would buy it!) Most consumers feel anything free must not be worth having, or it must have a catch. Having a Cheap Walmart Version (tm) would definitely get some the project some exposure.
7. How bout an Ubuntu Linux Magazine, with lots of cool articles tips and how-to's?
I am looking forward to everyone elses ideas... maybe the Canonical managers will take notice!
Here are some ideas I have had to help boost revenue.
1. Offer an Ubuntu Linux Certification (like Comptia etc)
2. Sell Training Materials (Books, DVDs, Flashcards, Software, etc.)
3. Sell Ubuntu Merchandise (shirts, hats, plushies, backpacks, etc.)
4. A Secured Cash-back Ubuntu Credit Card, where all profit went to Canonical Inc. (no risk to canonical because it is a secured card)
5. Offer Supporters and die hard fans of ubuntu a chance give money without donating out of their own pocket. Perhaps like a program that loads at start-up which displays scrolling ads (which you can rent out) and might use their computer resources while idle to do distributed computing work (also which you can rent out). This could be a totally voluntary program and be offered as a non-bundled separate download for windows, macOS, ubuntu etc... this way no one could accuse you of installing spy-ware on their machines etc. You could ask people to run it to help support ubuntu and make it a community wide effort. I am sure it would be able to generate lots of revenue. Maybe also you could have a reward system to receive ubuntu merchandice after so many hours were completed. (I would run this 24X7 to help support the cause)
6. Build a Separate Commercial Project... Like PayBuntu or something... which would include a DVD Player, XMMS, Mplayer, etc. with all the non-free software that Ubuntu is missing... Maybe polish it over like Xandros etc. (hey I would buy it!) Most consumers feel anything free must not be worth having, or it must have a catch. Having a Cheap Walmart Version (tm) would definitely get some the project some exposure.
7. How bout an Ubuntu Linux Magazine, with lots of cool articles tips and how-to's?
I am looking forward to everyone elses ideas... maybe the Canonical managers will take notice!