On Wednesday 09 March 2005 18.47, Atwal, Steve wrote: > - I've been using versions of Debian (namely Libranet) on 5-6 Linux > servers at work for years. I'm facing increasing opposition from senior > management to justify using Debian as opposed to RedHat due to the fact > that most major hardware and software vendors do not list Debian as being > supported by their product, e.g. Plone, IBM hardware, etc. I've toyed with the idea to create a 'Debian - it just works' label and try to get vendors to add it on their stuff (right besides the 'Designed for youknowwhat'.) I've thought about starting a business with this, but after discussion with several people I realize that I currently certainly can't make a living from this right now, and there are issues around me monopolizing this and thus alienating Debian folks, so I'm more or less dropping the idea for now. I'm still convinced that Debian could benefit hugely by this. Several possibilities: - Companies that currently support Debian create that label (VA and Sun Wah? Ubuntu?) - SPI and the Debian project create that label and create criteria as to what the label really means and who can test for compliance. - Debian people work on this on a non-profit basis, Debian awards the logo directly to products that qualify (without the involvement of the vendors - it would more become a 'Debian supports this' database instead of the 'We support Debian' thingy that I'd really like to see.) It would certainly be best if it would be officially blessed by the Debian project (and the (tm) on the label/slogan probably held by SPI) - but with Debian's current structure and decision-making processes, I can't see this happening before 2030. OTOH it's perfectly legal for somebody to use the open-use logo and start this without official Debian involvement - but it'd need to be done carefully, no sense stomping on the toes of 70% of all DDs. The BIG question is: would companies be ready to put that logo on their product information web pages (and/or ads etc.)? Would they be willing to pay for this? I could imagine that companies like HP, who already support Debian, could be convinced to work together with Debian (or whoever implements this) - early adaptors get the benefit of influencing how the logo program would work. And once the Debian logo is on one or two HP ads, I hope others will follow. (And let us be honest: We want this logo to be very easily obtained. It's primarily a marketing toy. So, I imagine something like 'Ah, they mention that this display runs with Linux and XFree in their documentation. So they can have this logo.' - perhaps even let companies self-certify, and have them sign a contract that says a public list of companies/products not fulfilling the criteria can be kept and they will accept appearing on this black list.) Ok, and now I give the word to the 'Debian don't need no stinking marketing' counter argument :-) cheers -- vbi -- Beware of the FUD - know your enemies. This week * Patent Law, and how it is currently abused. * http://fortytwo.ch/opinion
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