---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Gomi No Sensei <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Sep 4, 2007 8:33 AM Subject: Fwd: PhotoVu Inquiry: 48889582 - 17" Frame, Open-source To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
The following email is self-explanatory. The device sold at www.photovu.comis based on a modified Debian, but the company will not disclose the source. The quote is: "We will never have an open platform as we do not have the resources to support such an open product in the field. It's not that we wouldn't like to, as we believe in open source and in fact use a customized base debian distribution with the addition of all our custom software on top. .... The last reason is why we weld our units shut and the aluminum metal must be cut and drilled to open it up!" ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: PhotoVu Sales <[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Date: Sep 4, 2007 7:04 AM Subject: Re: PhotoVu Inquiry: 48889582 - 17" Frame, Open-source To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi Sean: Please see answers below. Thanks for your interest in PhotoVu. *PhotoVu Sales *<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> (303) 444-5566 Boulder, CO www.photovu.com "*out of the shoebox & onto the wall*" Sales @ PhotoVu wrote: Below is your PhotoVu Inquiry Confirmation email. Please ensure that your SPAM filter ALLOWS emails from PhotoVu.com. Inquiry Number: 48889582 Contact Information ------------------- Sean McManus -- [EMAIL PROTECTED] +1 360-665-2502 WA US Subject ------- Sales - 17" Frame, Open-source Question -------- I am a consultant, and have a client who has asked me to evaluate and acquire a solution for an internal signage application. The opportunity is initially for 20-25 frames. I have seen your frames in use before, but had a few questions. <off-topic section removed> 2) I am aware that your platform is Linux on a VIA embedded system. The client's application would likely require some minor customization to the frame -- possibly filtering of an RSS feed or special scanning treatment of a network folder (the application is not yet implemented). Despite searching your site, I have not found any detailed information about the Linux implementation or about accessibility to the internals. Please advise on this. We will never have an open platform as we do not have the resources to support such an open product in the field. It's not that we wouldn't like to, as we believe in open source and in fact use a customized base debian distribution with the addition of all our custom software on top. It's just that we can barely keep our head above water supporting our current base of users (which our non-technical consumers) (that's why we finally have started to generate a knowledge base). Opening our product up to hackers would present a support nightmare, not to mention the product liability of somebody electrocuting themselves. The last reason is why we weld our units shut and the aluminum metal must be cut and drilled to open it up! Supporting RSS feeds from several different service providers with ever changing feed specs has not been trivial nor do we expect it to be in the future. We are working on a MAJOR software upgrade to be released this Fall, which will support digital signage, as it's a market that is growing for us and finally seems to be heating up. For q 20-25, we would be willing to make the necessary modifications for you if it's something we thought we could leverage, while we are working on this software piece. We have a lot of customers using our frames in digital signage. I hope you will still consider being one of them. We are a small company and think you find us easy to work with and most likely be able to make your modifications quickly for you. Regards, PhotoVu Sales PhotoVu Response Policies ------------------------- We take each request very seriously and try to respond within one business day. Many times, you will get a response within hours. Thank you for your interest in PhotoVu! If you have any questions about this inquiry or would like to talk with a PhotoVu representative, please contact us using the following: Web: http://www.photovu.com Phone: +1.303.444.5566 Fax: +1.303.374.2737
