[Ubuntu-SG] Software Freedom Day - Ubuntu Installation Service?

[Maung Myat Thu @ Billy Aung Myint]

I would agree with both points here about free software and needing
funds for future. But lets stop about this here. The main reason we
don't charge is not because we don't need funds. It is because when you
charge something , you are providing a paid service which is totally
different from volunteer service.

Companies are in a business to provide service. We are not in business
and our aim is not to provide services to paid customers. Our aim is to
promote Ubuntu and it so happens that install-fests are one of the ways
we can achieve our aim. 

So I would like this topic to end here. Team Ubuntu Singapore , as a
non-profit group , would not charge for its activities. Individual
members are welcomed to do so to companies or to friends or whoever. We
do not get charge and we are not responsible for any problems that
arises after our help. We volunteer. 

regards
Billy

On Mon, 2008-09-08 at 11:47 +0800, K Sitt wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> Yes, I agree with you. We should check with the organizers about their
> policy. Free installs should be another option. 
> 
> Don't get me wrong, I am all into free software and free installation.
> But don't forget about the real idea behind free software. Its not
> free as in free beer but free as in free speech. And the reason I
> suggested you to charge is, people value it more when they pay
> something(guilt-free). People do hesitate when you are giving away
> something free.
> 
> Anyways, we can always check. I was suggesting this because, I have
> read the cup cake idea and the need to raise some money. So I thought
> I wanted to give my thought about it.
> Besides, there are companies giving that service and making money out
> of it, that doesn't make them evil. It is justifiable if we use the
> proceed to fund our future efforts, not for our personal good. 
> 
> Regards
> K
> 
> On Mon, Sep 8, 2008 at 9:47 AM, Muhammad Heidir Abd M
> <dave33bravo at yahoo.com.sg> wrote:
>         Hi,
>         
>         Why would you want to charge a fee for installation? If we
>         want people to use Ubuntu, then it should be free. Even at the
>         cost of our sweat and time. Ubuntu is about sharing and
>         humanity towards others. I don't think the idea of charging a
>         fee is good.
>         
>         Team Ubuntu Singapore is a community. We are here to share our
>         experiences with others. We are a non-profit community.
>         
>         In my opinion, the only way to reach to the masses is to
>         provide something for free, no obligation. And besides, its
>         Software Freedom Day, it should be FREE! There is an
>         install-fest going on in the event, with a lot of
>         distributions available. If we start charging, would people be
>         interested with Ubuntu?
>         
>         Heidir
>         
>         
>         ----- Original Message ----
>         From: K Sitt <k at sitt.com.sg>
>         To: Team Ubuntu Singapore Mailing List
>         <ubuntu-sg at lists.ubuntu.com>
>         Sent: Monday, 8 September 2008 07:58:01
>         Subject: [Ubuntu-SG] Software Freedom Day - Ubuntu
>         Installation Service?
>         
>         Hi All,
>         
>         I have been toying about the idea of providing Ubuntu
>         installation service on the SFD.
>         
>         My idea is like this. We can charge nominal fees for each
>         install on the laptop (say $5 per install).
>         The point is to make people see the switch to Ubuntu as less
>         risky. For that we may need to provide some back up media
>         (DVD-R) to back up their data before the install attempt.
>         
>         That way we have different advantages.
>         
>         1). More people has a chance to try Ubuntu,
>         2). We can raise some fund to recover the cost.
>         
>         There will be a few things needed.
>         1). DVD-R media
>         2). DVD Writer. (most lap-tops have them but for those who
>         doesn't its more convenient)
>         3). Ubuntu CD or DVD (which I believe, we have already got)
>         4). Volunteers to provide service.
>         
>         
>         Well, just my may be 1c..
>         
>         Regards
>         K
>         
>         
>         
>         
>         
>         
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