Re: Membership dues [ was: Re: Advisory Board Letter ]

["David C. Mason" <dcm redhat com>]

Maciej Stachowiak <mjs@eazel.com> writes:


> Well where do you think the fee for admission to the advisory board
> should be set then? I don't think "$0" would be good, this would get a
> lot of companies signing up just because they can and generating
> noise, unless the board gets to approve each company on an individual
> basis.
> 
> Your specific proposal for where to set the fee is welcome.


Do you really think setting the fee at 20K is going to stop large
companies from joining - and them not creating noise? For very large
companies, this is just one in a long list of foundations and
organizations in which they can put down on their 'corporate resume' to
play when they need it most.

Obviously, we want companies to give us code not money - the
foundation is only there to give companies a starting point for
contribution, and, if nothing else, a way to deal with the GNOME
community without worrying about which company to talk to.

The foundation should do its best to make sure companies get
*involved*, not give money. The money is *not* the issue. If we decide
we need some sort of staff, which so far is mixed in responses, we can
determine a fee. I have stated my opinion on what we might need money
for....

According to that, and what my instincts tell me, I would make one of
two things criteria for a company to join. 

a) A small amount of money, like $5k so we can get things we
might need.

b) Contribution to GNOME by way of code, documentation, translation or
the like.


Dave

-- 


David Mason
Red Hat Advanced Development Labs
dcm@redhat.com (919)547-0012 x248