An Open Letter to the Ubuntu-au Members

[Paul Schulz]

Greetings to all,

Firstly, I have put my name to the letter for a couple of reasons
(below) but I welcome the discussion.

Most importantly (I think) is that we support and recognise the work
that members of our group are doing, acknowledge it, and ensure that
this work can continue. (See: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/LoCoTeamLeader)


1. I think we need to be heading in this direction.

Given the recent conference that I attended (Connecting Up 06), I
experienced first hand what is possible by Not-for-profit groups in
Australia. These groups are doing an aweful amount for Australia with
very little, and being a part of this, and bringing the goodness of
Ubuntu to this mix, is something I am very keen to see happen.


2. Freedom to promote Ubuntu

Individually, as 'ubuntuites/ubuntuaros', we are free to promote Ubuntu
(See: http://www.ubuntu.com/community/processes/newmember)
Eventually, as members of Ubuntu, we can do and will have done even more.

The LoCo teams were envisioned to support this. This proposal doesn't
remove this freedom, but will strenghens the support available to
individuals.

Handing out CD's for people to try is one thing, getting schools and
organisation and even businesses to depend on it is a complely
different bucket of hearing.


3. Dealing with Businesses and Government.

How and who can Australian organisations deal with when it comes to
advice on free/libre open source stategic ICT policy planning and
development.

This is the first step that any large organisation will go though.

Linux Australia is one such organisation and there are probably
others, but how can we put Ubuntu on the table for all the right
reasons (rather than a negotiation lever against Microsoft).