LF Desktop Linux Workgroup Conference Call - Minutes 1/16 ====== Attendees : John Walicki, Jim Zemlin, Don Hardaway, Ram Krishna, Don Harbison, Alan Clark, George Kraft, Eric Barkie, Dan Cohn, Markus Rex, Kelly Fraser, Russell Harrison, Ira McDonald
- Linux Desktop in 2008 - Normal array of the "Year of the Linux Desktop" articles - Will Linux Preloads define the year - (Everex gPC, OLPC, Asus EEE, Lenovo, Dell, HP) John reviewed the LF Client Surevy results on the Preload questions and came to some conclusions different than other bloggers. If 45% of respondents (arguably a self selected technical crowd) were willing to purchase a preloaded Linux system, the average user making the switch to Linux or a corporation deploying Linux, would quickly adopt a Preload. This is significant. The low cost gPC, EEE and OLPC are demonstrating a market for Linux PCs. Top tier OEMs are responding to this demand too. Consumers want low cost solutions that get them on the Internet and the Linux Desktops is an excellent fit for them. Vista is not what these price conscious users want or need. 2008 will likely be a breakout year for Linux preloads. John and others (Alan?) talked about their OLPC XO experiences both from observing their children and from the enthusiastic curiosity it receives from adults. It's the unique user experience (not that its running Linux) that draws kids and people in. Its a great example of a Linux desktop being the right technology to facilitate that user experience. Advertising - A long discussion transpired about Linux Desktop advertising. The mass market does not know they have OS choices and that the Linux desktop can provide a rich experience. The 3D desktop effects are great at capturing attention. Building a brand buzz requires a huge advertising budget. Apple can spend $100M on their commercials, the LF isn't in a position to do that. However, we can develop a message and promote it through the press/media. Jim agreed to help us on that. The industry consortium model aka "Got Milk?" is what we're after. Instead of promoting a Ubuntu/SLED/Fedora/RedHat/Xandros/etc brand, we need a witty, catchy Linux Desktop message. Viral YouTube clips. Should we run a brainstorming session around messaging/slogans? Dan detailed the "Designed for Linux" program they have been working on with peripheral and OEM vendors. - Linux Foundation Collaboration Summit The Linux Foundation Collaboration Summit will be April 8 - 10, 2008. The format will be similar to last year: April 8th will be a general day with panels and general discussion and the inclusion of press and analysts. Days two and three will hold workgroup meetings (such as DAM, LSB, CGL, etc) and collaboration sessions. IBM is graciously hosting this event at IBM/University of Texas Commons Center in Austin, Texas. http://www.utexas.edu/commons/ Planning - Work with Angela Brown on events planning - How big of a room can we get for DAM? - Refresh/Correct the DAM mailing list - Craft "Save the Date" memo to potential invitees - LF registration logistics - Craft the invite for the desktop architects - Build a straw man agenda and presentation tracks - Set up a wiki to manage the evolving agenda and line up presentations - Create and send out a presentation template to presenters Jim suggested some big trends and tracks for the DAM. - OEMs have agreed to participate in a Preload Partnership track to discuss the challenges of what is really required to develop, test and bring a preloaded Linux system to market and then support it through its lifecycle. How can these OEMs better participate in the community and how can the community better assist the OEMs. - Tracks for strategic focus areas/technical gaps where we want to assemble the key decision makers, maintainers and stakeholders and drive consensus and action. The LF has a modest travel fund to bring the right attendees to Austin. DAM will be a main tent event and we shouldn't be constrained by space in the UT facility. John to work with Angela/Amanda/Dan on web site logistics and the above planning actions. John had helped John Cherry/Greg Kelleher at previous DAMs. Jim asked who would be our "Dream" keynote speakers and offered to help set that up. A variety of Linux luminaries were suggested. Can we get major enterprise customers that are deploying Linux to attend/present? Novell and IBM teams would check their customer references. - 2008 Desktop Events Focus our efforts on DAM and the October Linux Plumbers conference. Pass on organizing a mini-summit at OLS. - 2008 LF Desktop workgroup meetings I've arranged for conference calls at 1pm Eastern Time Wednesdays on the following dates. Dan has posted this information to the LF Calendar. http://www.linux-foundation.org/en/LF_Public_Calendar Number: 1-877-346-9707 Passcode: 55586 Wednesday January 16th, 2008 13:00 EST Wednesday January 30th, 2008 13:00 EST Wednesday February 13th, 2008 13:00 EST Wednesday February 27th, 2008 13:00 EST Wednesday March 12th, 2008 13:00 EDT (note switch to Daylight Savings, still 1pm Eastern but different UT) Wednesday March 26th, 2008 13:00 EDT Skip April 9th because we'll all be together for the Desktop Architects Meeting #5 meeting in Austin TX Wednesday April 23th, 2008 13:00 EDT Wednesday May 07th, 2008 13:00 EDT Wednesday May 21th, 2008 13:00 EDT John Walicki IBM Open Client Architect _______________________________________________ Desktop_architects mailing list [email protected] https://lists.linux-foundation.org/mailman/listinfo/desktop_architects
