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Adoption - NOT. Cooperation/assistance - yes.
Hi.
I'd like to comment about the idea of Sela (or any company) helping
us, mainly because of the opposition already heard (Gal).
First, I'd like to remind people that we were partially sponsored by
Digital in the show. They provided lots of money, booth design and
machines. Did that diminish the free group spirit in any way? I don't
think so. It only made things easier.
Adoption is a bad word. I am for a very close cooperation with Sela.
This means that we remain an indepent users' group (or amuta, if we
ever decide on whether we want to) sponsored and helped by Sela. Here
are some of the major areas in which we need help:
1. FTP. There is no STABLE FTP site containing Slackware 3.0.0,
let alone a sunsite mirror. Even HUJI has its problems of disk
space. Sela might be able to provide a big disk and allow for
a close, stable sunsite mirror.
2. Web. The fact that the Linux-il page is in Weizmann has caused some
problems. For example, we CANNOT advertise through it. I'm not even
sure if it would be "legal" to advertise our booth in Computax.
Sela-provided webspace would enable us this.
3. Meeting place. I think that after about 4 meetings it's time we find
ourselves a place to meet. They can also help with installation
meetings. Sela can take of that as well.
4. Negotiations with companies. The main reason we didn't get books,
different types of CD-ROMS, shirts, etc. is because no company will
negotiate special settlements (consignation) with a group of nobodys.
A company WILL negotiate with a big company like Sela (not to mention
that Sela themselves have lots of Linux/Unix material).
5. Advertising. Sela could help us advertise ourselves and spread Linux
around. We can't do that alone.
In short, there are many pluses to cooperating. We should be careful
not to get swallowed, and be independant - have our own Linux-il booth
SEPARATE from Sela's, have our own mailing list. In short, business as
usual, but with a big body backing us up.
By the way, all this is purely theoretical until Ira and myself talk
with Sela and see what they're offering.
Shay
--
Shay Rojansky, roji@cs.huji.ac.il Finger for PGP public key
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