tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156542218783418244.post4133499077065139939..comments2023-09-21T06:13:15.442-07:00Comments on Boston GNU/Linux and Free Software Blog - BLU Desktop SIG: 6 Ways Canonical Ubuntu Can Be Profitable Without Being SpywareJabrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06289535889292806519noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156542218783418244.post-20655884161697185512013-09-03T01:31:06.777-07:002013-09-03T01:31:06.777-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08363074635555820921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156542218783418244.post-69369377183963822832013-01-02T20:21:13.554-08:002013-01-02T20:21:13.554-08:00I wouldn't dismiss the power of donations in t...I wouldn't dismiss the power of donations in this context. MediaGoblin raised $43K this fall in about a month [1]. The software is essentially pre-alpha, and has a negligible userbase. Ubuntu has a userbase of about 20 million and if done intelligently, they have way more opportunities to leverage that userbase for donations.<br /><br />As for the Wikimedia Foundation (Wikipedia.org), it's actually a good comparison with Canonical. Wikimedia Foundation has revenues of $46MM annually [2], whereas Canonical's revenue is in the $30MM range based on 2009 numbers [3]. I'm assuming in both cases that revenue and operating costs are not that far off. Wikimedia Foundation's 2012 fundraiser was only 16 days, ran in only 8 countries and was a success.<br /><br />[1] <a href="http://mediagoblin.org/pages/campaign.html" rel="nofollow">http://mediagoblin.org/pages/campaign.html</a><br />[2] <a href="http://go.bloomberg.com/tech-deals/2012-12-11-wikipedia-edits-fundraising-strategy/" rel="nofollow">http://go.bloomberg.com/tech-deals/2012-12-11-wikipedia-edits-fundraising-strategy/</a><br />[3] <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canonical_Ltd." rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canonical_Ltd.</a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12166257065887760899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156542218783418244.post-40770498236846498912012-12-17T14:45:57.217-08:002012-12-17T14:45:57.217-08:00On the enterprise desktop support contracts idea.....On the enterprise desktop support contracts idea... I wonder if Canonical can afford to wait out the eventual implosion of Windows as a desktop platform? They're back in another repeat of the Windows 95, ME, Vista cycle. At the same time, people are weaning themselves off of "Desktop" computing and finding a rich ecosystem of client OSes and online services. It won't be long before Wal Mart is loudly proclaiming a particular OSS laptop of theirs can do anything you want a laptop to do because *Windows* is itself irrelevant.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156542218783418244.post-64556042031068209172012-12-17T14:34:22.862-08:002012-12-17T14:34:22.862-08:00Canonical definitely needs to work on their market...Canonical definitely needs to work on their marketing web site to make it clear exactly what they are and are not willing to do for individuals and enterprises that want to enter into a paid services contract with them.<br /><br />Unfortunately, all the strategies you named are probably not going to be the cash cow they need -- and Canonical probably already considered them and decided to take no action.<br /><br />1. Donation Reminder Applet<br />-- This kind of thing is just probably their best low-friction strategy, but it's barely keeping Wikipedia afloat right now, and I gather Wikipedia has a lot more users and much lower operating costs.<br /><br />2. Premium Support<br />-- This should probably be combined with #1. But can this work? Look at Apple: I think the biggest things contributing to the bottom line of their OS division are the big premium Apple charges on Apple hardware compared to what other hardware vendors charge, and actual warranties beyond 1 year of support. What's a good figure for these two income streams? ... Maybe $300 per user per year? Ubuntu isn't going to get that kind of money from subscriptions.<br /><br />3. Training and Certification<br />-- The scuttlebutt I see (in Slashdot and elsewhere) is that managers and employees often don't consider certifications to be worth much. Actual apprenticeship of one form or another is what managers want to see. Is there money to be made by Canonical in fostering apprenticeships and internships?<br /><br />4. Ubuntu One<br />-- This ship has sailed, and Dropbox is the only winner there can be if there is one. What do MOST users want? a) Access to online apps whose storage method is completely outside the user's sphere of influence and understanding; and b) Access to files in the form of filesystem folders and blobs -- copyable, loseable, and syncable. Users can get this without Ubuntu One already, are not willing to learn a new system, and don't believe you when you tell them Ubuntu One is better even if you only use computers running Ubuntu.<br /><br />5. Game Servers<br />-- Niche market. 'nuff said.<br /><br />6. Partnering with Freedom-Respecting Companies<br />-- This won't make Canonical a lot of money but it would contribute greatly to the "Ubuntu" philosophy of Ubuntu. People doing good complementary work should call out and promote each other!<br /><br />All the money in the IT industry to be made by an OS company is in enterprise desktop and server support contracts, and grid computing. There's probably a little room in both markets for Canonical, but I'm not sure how they can get there.<br /><br />Sorry to sound so negative. Anyone else have any armchair quarterback ideas? :^)<br /><br />(Also, oh gods when did I start thinking like a manager?! I'm a developer!)<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6156542218783418244.post-58239968547346252872012-12-17T06:31:26.703-08:002012-12-17T06:31:26.703-08:00I have to agree with you that there are alternativ...I have to agree with you that there are alternatives that ought to be explored. What more bothers me is that it is included and enabled by default. Couldn't they put a privacy notice in the install (with an option to disable) and or explain why it is there? <br /><br />At the same time many people new to FOSS don't understand that it sometimes needs financial support to survive/thrive. Also, it might make sense if when asking for support they explain why it is needed. evolutionaryithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16702359629347462557noreply@blogger.com