RE: Long term Debian growth
Tom --
I am not a small business owner, but I do run a site for my family
non-profit (www.StoneSpring.org), and would like to host this on a Debian
machine. It's currently on an ISP (Verio) site. I am new to Debian, having
done not much since installing 1.3 on an Intel server last November and
using it as my client. I am not knowledgeable about installing various
items which I need before I can get it going as my ISP replacement host
machine. Specifically, I need to:
Set up static IP (I have one allocated to me already)
Set up 2-way ISDN (I have a line set up) or 2-way analog access... meaning
when a packet needs to come to my machine, the ISP will do automatic
call-setup
I've often thought of requesting assistance, and am even willing to pay
reasonable rates, but haven't found the right forum.
So,
I think you have a point. People needs resources to turn to when they want
more than just incidental help from the generous Debian community; I'm not
expecting to get free advice to help me on a somewhat non-trivial and
possibly continuing basis
Anyone out there able to help me?
I am very impressed with the Debian and Linux communities (and have made my
donation to the Debian organization). Just a few other things (necessarily
involving "marketing") would do great things for the growth and acceptance
of Debian.
Sincerely -- Samuel Hahn
On Friday, October 02, 1998 7:06 AM, Tom [SMTP:tjm1@thorn.net] wrote:
> I am thinking that Debian should consider taking some steps to increase
> its commercial presence by becoming more attractive to small
> entrepreneurial business owners with low to moderate technical skills.
> The reasons for this is to provide an increased source of funding for
> Debian expansion. Lets consider some ideas.
>
> 1. Debian could maintain a list of consultants and technical workers who
> can and will support commercial Debian sites. (Perhaps at a
> discount.)
> 2. An off the shelf business development kit could be developed for web
> based businesses. Specifically I mean create some web page templets,
> some database templets, and, some spreadsheet templets. Then stitch them
> together with some interactive front-end that creates a small web
> based business. Just automate some of the process. Im not talking
> creating a multinational just something simple. Joe wants to try
> selling bowling balls on the net. There are plenty of applications
> which will help him to do this. Just sew them together in a way that
> makes it easier for a non or only slightly technical person to do it.
> This also might appeal to web hosters as service to provide.
>
> These two ideas are aimed directly at people who will use Debian to make
> money. Therefore I see nothing wrong with asking for some of it.
> Asking not demanding or requiring.
> We should remember that although the volunteer structure of Debian is a
> wonderful thing certain facts remain. Advertising costs money, and so
> do many of the other things that will allow Debian to grow and continue
> to be a major Linux distribution I am not wedded to the ideas above,
> but I do think expanding the reliable capital base can not but help
> Debian in the long term.
> Any opinions?
>
> Tom
>
>
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