Greetings fellow bugtrackers, I have always enjoyed the nature of this list, and it is with the deepest regret that I must post what I believe to be a seminal problem. Before I post this issue I would review some of the advantages of Ubuntu Linux.
1. It is very easy to install, 2. It is very flexible and customizable, 3. Cost of ownership and support is reasonable. Many more advantages exist, so I thought to study this product, become expert with it, and support myself by supporting this product. After 4 years in this activity I am now destitute, and unable to make my financial obligations. In my desperation to make Ubuntu work, I considered the U.S. Federal market, which, while a small market now, could if properly supported sustain me, my family and maybe others. The following proposal was sent, last month for the third time. ######################## Begin Insert ######################## >From [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sat Aug 23 06:43:31 2008 Date: Sat, 23 Aug 2008 06:43:31 -0400 (EDT) From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Mark Shuttleworth <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED], "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, Matt Zimmerman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Ubuntu U.S. Federal Marketing Project Dear Mark, First, let me welcome Andrew Roadway to this discussion. Matt Zimmerman informs me that Andrew is the Canonical Director of Marketing, and I presume, would be the lead in this or any other marketing proposal. In the past few months I have discussed with many of you the possibility of establishing a U.S. Federal Marketing force for the purpose of vending Ubuntu to U.S. Government (USG) agencies. I believe that the features of such an organization would be as follows: All USG organizations must adhere to the Federal Acquisition Regulations. This requires that USG sites purchase software support licensees. This requirement specifically includes Free and Open Source (FOS) products. A designated agency of the U.S. Government called the General Services Administration (GSA) strictly governs USG purchasing activity. GSA regulations, under certain conditions, give preferential treatment to U.S. Owned Businesses, Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDB) and Veteran Owned Businesses. The Buy American and Small Disadvantaged Veterans Owned Business preferences are where I would like to base a proposal. I believe, that with the cooperation and exclusive endorsement of the Canonical Corporation, distribution to the U.S. Federal Government, while a rare occurrence now, is ripe for long term profit. WHAT WE INTEND TO DO: Establish a Small Disadvantaged Veteran Owned Business (SDVOB) with a GSA schedule for purchase of Canonical Support Licensees. We expect to deliver a profit margin of eighty (80) percent of this income stream back to Canonical. Equip an office with U.S. nationals and Veterans trained at the Canonical Montreal facility to offer Buy American Act compliant support service. WHAT WE NEED TO PROCEED: We need to establish a marketing agreement with Canonical. This would need to include a time period during which this enterprise would enjoy exclusive U.S. Government marketing rights. I am convinced with this agreement in place, no other resources would be required to make this a profitable project. WHAT TO EXPECT: The Administration changes set to occur in Washington in 150 days will open doors to a wider range of operating software systems being deployed by disparate Federal agencies. A new Administration invariably creates a climate where there is greater receptivity to innovative products. As the Federal Agency workforce turnover increases, particularly in IT divisions, now is the time to market the "superior alternative" of the Ubuntu product. Simply put, with proper GSA compliant support contracts available, the new generation of IT professionals inside the Beltway will embrace and deploy open source operating systems, particularly Ubuntu. Being positioned by a sales agent for U.S. Federal sales at this time costs Canonical nothing, and in the future can lead to considerable profit. I have established a private wiki at http://docbox.flint.com:8081/uusg to continue work on this idea. You will find this proposal posted there along with the latest developments as they occur. I look forward to our collective mutual gain, the opportunity to do well by doing good, and I thank you for your time. Kindest Regards, Paul Flint /************************************ Based upon email reliability concerns, please send an acknowledgment in response to this note. Paul Flint Barre Open Systems Institute 17 Averill Street Barre, VT 05641 http://www.bosivt.org http://www.flint.com/home skype: flintinfotech Work: (202) 537-0480 Fax: (703) 852-7089 Consilium gratuitum .~. valet /V\ quanti /( )\ numerantur ^^-^^ ######################## End Insert ######################## I have never received a response to this business proposal from anyone at Cannonical. The sadest thing here is that I really believe that Ubuntu Linux will succeed, I just wanted to be a boat rising in this tide. Needless to say, that lack of dedicated marketing to large governmental organizations could be a problem, I know not. Mostly I worry about how I am going to heat, eat and pay the mortage. So... If there is anyone out there that needs remote adminstration, consulting, or development services, I would be happy to assist for reasonable compensation, after 4 long years of trying I know there is no Linux work for me here in Vermont, America is in economic meltdown, and I am now deep in debt. Please find my resume at: http://www.flint.com/flint Thanks in advance and... Kindest Regards, Paul Flint /************************************ Based upon email reliability concerns, please send an acknowledgment in response to this note. Paul Flint Barre Open Systems Institute 17 Averill Street Barre, VT 05641 http://www.bosivt.org http://www.flint.com/home skype: flintinfotech Work: (202) 537-0480 Fax: (703) 852-7089 Consilium gratuitum .~. valet /V\ quanti /( )\ numerantur ^^-^^ -- Microsoft has a majority market share https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1 You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Bugs, which is subscribed to Ubuntu. -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list ubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs