Big Box Linux

[Rouben]

Speaking from a business perspective, OS marketing (as in, "Linux
works, honest!") is not at all your biggest hurdle. I think you should
be targeting educational institutions and focusing more on the thin
client/media box market. I have to admit, I am a tad biased, since I
work at U of T. :) Here are some ideas that I hope you will find
useful...

Some selling points/ideas...
* Must be able to deal in bulk (especially with universities)
* Must be cheaper in bulk than major competitors (the way it works is
that most educational institutions have preferred vendors and they
have to justify purchases from non-preferred vendors... if you're
substantially cheaper, you win).
* Support, support, support. Be prepared to have very quick turnaround
time on spare parts, service, etc. If you can set up a mail order
system where you ship the replacement part and then the client ships
you the defective part and absorb the cost of shipping (courier
preferred) then you have a chance to compete with guys like Dell in
the education market.
* Be flexible: be willing to help clients transition (or sometimes
not) from Windows. Be prepared to ship computers with Windows (and/or
Ubuntu) dual-booting.
* Offer "virtual" desktops, where Ubuntu runs on the bare metal with
VMWare/VirtualBox serving up Windows XP. The run something like
BackupPC in coordination with VMWare Snapshots to offer a
comprehensive backup strategy with point-in-time restore ability. Sell
that with a NAS rig as a nice low-cost disaster recovery package.
* Think about "small business in a box" type turnkey solutions. Offer
up packages that include some initial consulting to get small
businesses started... maybe get a hosting reseller package, and offer
webhosting as well (managed IT services outsourcing).
* Media servers and Mythbuntu appliances! Maybe team up with Koolu
(www.koolu.com) to offer custom built media servers? That might be a
good chance to sell a NAS appliance and/or a home networking package
as well.

Perhaps Ubuntu should have a team/mailing list for open source
business ideas/discussions such as this?

--
Rouben

On Tue, Apr 8, 2008 at 12:50 PM, Paul Baranowski <paul at bigboxlinux.com> wrote:
>  Date: Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:50:29 -0400
>  From: Paul Baranowski <paul at bigboxlinux.com>
>  Subject: Big Box Linux
>  To: The Canadian Ubuntu Users Community <ubuntu-ca at lists.ubuntu.com>
>
>  Hi everyone,
>  I've recently started a business selling customizable Ubuntu Desktops.  I
>  started this business because I love Ubuntu and believe in open source; I think
>  Linux is finally ready for the masses because of Ubuntu.  If you are looking to
>  buy a system where *all* the hardware works out-of-the-box, then please consider
>  a computer from Big Box Linux.  We are based in Toronto, ON.
>
>  The systems we offer come with the following software installed, over and above
>  the default Ubuntu install:
>   * 3D Desktop effects
>   * Hibernate & suspend support
>   * Pre-installed codes and fonts
>   * Wireless LAN & Bluetooth
>   * Compatible printers
>   * Skype & webcam support
>   * DVD authoring tools
>   * Flash player
>   * Adobe Reader
>   * Skype
>   * Google Earth
>   * Wine
>   * 3D games (optional)
>   * and more...
>
>  Each machine can be customized to your liking.  Feel free to give me a call if
>  you are interested, or check out the web page: http://bigboxlinux.com
>
>  People often ask me "I thought just about everything works out of the box on
>  Linux, whats the problem?"
>
>  Here is a list of things which may not work under Linux if you buy any random
>  computer (I know because I've been testing the parts):
>   * Motherboard (suspend/hibernate)
>   * DVD drive (suspend/hibernate)
>   * Hard drive (suspend/hibernate)
>   * 3D graphics card
>   * Ethernet port
>   * Webcam
>   * Wireless card
>   * Printer
>
>  In short, you are only guaranteed your processor and RAM will work.
>
>  We also offer Linux and open source consulting for businesses, including
>  Asterisk VOIP and LAN setup.
>
>  Hope everyone is enjoying their week and keep spreading the Ubuntu love!
>
>  --
>  Paul Baranowski
>  Big Box Linux, Inc.
>  416-619-0874
>  416-628-1252 (Fax)
>  paul at bigboxlinux.com
>