>From: "LaPierre, Bob" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>
>. . . The only objection I have with Faustus' redirects is his statement
>that he obtained them to prevent them from being used for commercial
>purposes . . .
Despite the detractors wild speculations, "protecting" the domains was TRULY
about 80% of my reason for registering them. Probably 15% more of that
reason was the (very small - TINY actually) amount of leverage this gives
the community to urge that the OGF become "somewhat independent". The
remaining 5% was to potentially direct traffic to the FAQ. To the FAQ, NOT
to the Earth 1066 website.)
>and then having a link to his commercial website.
Traffic to my site is irrelevant to us at this time. We are not currently
promoting the website through any medium. No links, no banners, no search
engine submissions, no "robots.txt" files even. All I have ever promoted
online is the FAQ I am maintaining. In case the detractors haven't noticed,
WE HAVE NO PRODUCT. Our website isn't selling ANYTHING. We currently don't
plans to have a product for at least another 6-8 months. I would certainly
HOPE that by the time WE DO have product on the shelves and are ACTIVELY
promoting it, that the FOUNDATION would exist as a relatively independent
legal entity and I will have passed this stuff on to them. If it DOESN'T,
it is unlikely I will be willing to accept the risk of releasing the
products we are planning under a license that can be unilaterally revoked at
any moment by the market leader.
Incidently I am very, VERY happy with this debate as it has gotten us all
talking again (as a group) about the Foundation, its final form, and when it
might all become a reality. Hurrah!
Incidently, also, the private mail I have been receiving plus the traffic on
the list puts the supporters leading the detractors by 30 to 1 or more.
::sniff:: [chokin' up again, guys] So thanks to all who support me on this
issue. You all have presented and defended my reasoning much better than I
think I could have done alone.
As to the COST of the website that I might "lose" and whether this makes me
a "fool" as some have claimed, that is really laughable. It is bare
fraction of the amount of the donation check I am likely to write the day
the foundation formally opens its doors in an independent fashion.
This is ultimately the most powerful rationale for independance of the OGF -
a truly independent organization will (in my opinion) draw a level of
community support and effort that I think Ryan himself hasn't even
anticipated. THAT'S the whole premise of this effort . . .
Faust
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