Re: Can there be an "Official Hardware Partner" for GNOME

[Peter Korn <Peter Korn Sun COM>]

Hi Josh,

I think it makes sense to separate out an organization/community like 
GNOME from an event like GUADEC.  I think being "the official foo of 
GUADEC" is different from being "the official foo of GNOME".  Being the 
"official foo" elevates foo over anything else in foo's category.  There 
can only be one.  This is distinct from more general sponsorship - you 
can have any number of silver/gold/platinum sponsors.  You can have only 
one "official" in any given category (and how many categories are there 
for software?  I mean, sure, there is the official soft drink of 
GNOME/GUADEC, but really...).

For my own part, I am much more comfortable with the former than the 
latter, for several reasons.  First, it has a natural time-out.  When 
GUADEC X is over (or after some number of months after it is over), the 
relationship can naturally be over.  Someone else can gain that coveted 
slot later.  The amount someone has to give to gain that coveted slot 
(assuming it goes up in value over time) may go up.  The second reason I 
prefer this is that it puts GNOME as a whole at an arms-length distance 
from foo. 


Regards,

Peter Korn
Accessibility Architect,
Sun Microsystems, Inc.

> Hi everybody!
>
> Maybe you noticed my blog post on planet.gnome.org
>
> Transtec (http://www.transtec.de/) is very eager to sponsor hardware for
> the GNOME event box. I'm currently negotiating the terms. They'd like to
> go even further by establishing a partnership with GNOME. 
>
> That's why I'd like to know whether GNOME can have an "Official Hardware
> Partner", something the company can advertise with.
>
> What's in for us?
>
> Well, I'd like to get the following things:
>       * Significant discount on their hardware for GNOME, e.g. for the
>         Event Box
>       * A discount on their hardware for GNOME foundation members
>       * Providing hardware for events, e.g. GUADEC, on loan-basis
>
> I think we can benefit from a deal like that while still maintaining our
> independence. Are there any concerns from the side of the foundation
> board?
>
> Anyway, I try to bring them to the advisory board as well and the
> hardware for the event box is already a deal. I now try to get Novell,
> Red Hat, Sun etc. to provide some funds as well (The plan is to plaster
> up the box with the logos of the sponsors).
>
> I'll keep you posted!
>
> Regards,
>
> Josh
>
> PS: Do we have an official contact with Intel? Maybe they will provide
> some funds as well ;-)
>
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