Proposal: Submit releases to Ubuntu My Apps
Howdy folks,
First off, disclosure: I work at Canonical on Ubuntu, but not in the applications group. I guess I could be bias.
For those that aren't aware Ubuntu has introduced a new way to submit applications that appear in the Ubuntu Software Center[1]. It basically allows developers to submit their applications to a repository that exists outside the standard main/universe paradigm in a place called "extras." The applications that exist in this repository can be paid, free or Free Software, but the key difference is that they version is controlled by the uploader and not the Ubuntu core repository process.
This means that we could, potentially, put Inkscape 0.49 in the software center for users that are on Ubuntu 12.04 LTS -- which would be nearly impossible in the main archives. I think that this is a win for our users who many of which are surely staying on the LTS release. But it is a change and slightly different legal relationship we'd be entering into with Canonical[2] to distribute the app.
PROPOSAL 1: Inkscape should enter into the agreement with Canonical and submit future releases of Inkscape to the extras repository, pending review of the TOS from the Conservancy.
At the same time, the My Apps interface allows us to distribute applications that have a fee associated with them. While it's really designed for selling proprietary software, it seems like we could also have an application that was "Inkscape (Donation Edition)" that cost something like $5 that users who wanted to could choose to install. I was thinking that this edition could have a special about screen or perhaps some filters or palettes -- some sort of Thank You. We could keep that in version control, just not distribute it with the main tarball/executable bundles we ship.
I think the price and the Thank You should be discussed further, but in general I'm trying to say:
PROPOSAL 2: Inkscape should release a donation edition of Inkscape to Ubuntu extras at a price set by the board.
What are people's thoughts on all of this? Yea, nay? I'm not sure it would end up being a large donation stream, but I do think it's worth trying. There will probably be some people upset at us trying to "commercialize" Inkscape, but I don't think that's really the case here and I'm willing to have that conversation.
--Ted
[1] http://developer.ubuntu.com/publish/ [2] https://myapps.developer.ubuntu.com/dev/tos/
On Fri, Dec 07, 2012 at 05:11:19PM -0600, Ted Gould wrote:
PROPOSAL 2: Inkscape should release a donation edition of Inkscape to Ubuntu extras at a price set by the board.
ex board opinion here...
I think if we could provide some value (e.g. funding goes back to support, to new features, to fund an extra summer of code project etc) this has a lot of merit. The important part is to explain that inkscape is and will remain free software, but that by people microdonating it can remain relevant software.
njh
On Fri, Dec 07, 2012 at 05:11:19PM -0600, Ted Gould wrote:
PROPOSAL 1: Inkscape should enter into the agreement with Canonical and submit future releases of Inkscape to the extras repository, pending review of the TOS from the Conservancy.
At the same time, the My Apps interface allows us to distribute applications that have a fee associated with them. While it's really designed for selling proprietary software, it seems like we could also have an application that was "Inkscape (Donation Edition)" that cost something like $5 that users who wanted to could choose to install. I was thinking that this edition could have a special about screen or perhaps some filters or palettes -- some sort of Thank You. We could keep that in version control, just not distribute it with the main tarball/executable bundles we ship.
I haven't read the agreement, but in concept I don't see a problem with it.
In fact, I'm not sure this is something we really even need a board vote on; it's basically just another avenue for distributing Inkscape to users, so sounds like it falls within the scope of the normal Inkscape packaging crew.
If there *is* some bit in the terms of service which would require a board vote, then I think we'd better have those issues highlighted so we can give them adequate consideration.
PROPOSAL 2: Inkscape should release a donation edition of Inkscape to Ubuntu extras at a price set by the board.
What are people's thoughts on all of this? Yea, nay? I'm not sure it would end up being a large donation stream, but I do think it's worth trying. There will probably be some people upset at us trying to "commercialize" Inkscape, but I don't think that's really the case here and I'm willing to have that conversation.
It sounds like a good idea, although three things:
1. We'll have to ensure it's legally permissible to do this within our non-profit constraints.
2. Like njh pointed out, we ought to have a plan for usage of the revenue before undertaking this. Which really means we need an organizer to make whatever arrangements/purchases/etc. required. A hackfest focusing on bug fixing or implementing a few highly requested features could perhaps stimulate a lot of donation activity.
3. What fees are charged? The TOS says 20%; any other fees?
Bryce
On Mon, 2012-12-10 at 18:03 -0800, Bryce Harrington wrote:
On Fri, Dec 07, 2012 at 05:11:19PM -0600, Ted Gould wrote:
PROPOSAL 1: Inkscape should enter into the agreement with Canonical and submit future releases of Inkscape to the extras repository, pending review of the TOS from the Conservancy.
At the same time, the My Apps interface allows us to distribute applications that have a fee associated with them. While it's really designed for selling proprietary software, it seems like we could also have an application that was "Inkscape (Donation Edition)" that cost something like $5 that users who wanted to could choose to install. I was thinking that this edition could have a special about screen or perhaps some filters or palettes -- some sort of Thank You. We could keep that in version control, just not distribute it with the main tarball/executable bundles we ship.
I haven't read the agreement, but in concept I don't see a problem with it.
In fact, I'm not sure this is something we really even need a board vote on; it's basically just another avenue for distributing Inkscape to users, so sounds like it falls within the scope of the normal Inkscape packaging crew.
If there *is* some bit in the terms of service which would require a board vote, then I think we'd better have those issues highlighted so we can give them adequate consideration.
Well, since technically it'd be Inkscape entering into an agreement with Canonical I feel two things:
1) It's an agreement, the Board should at least talk about it if not vote on it since it is going to use the project's name.
2) I work for Canonical. Someone else should ACK it. (not you ;-) )
If we had some sort of Executive Director set up or something like that, I'd have no problem with that person doing that on their own. But the only leadership we have defined is here...
PROPOSAL 2: Inkscape should release a donation edition of Inkscape to Ubuntu extras at a price set by the board.
What are people's thoughts on all of this? Yea, nay? I'm not sure it would end up being a large donation stream, but I do think it's worth trying. There will probably be some people upset at us trying to "commercialize" Inkscape, but I don't think that's really the case here and I'm willing to have that conversation.
It sounds like a good idea, although three things:
- We'll have to ensure it's legally permissible to do this within our non-profit constraints.
For sure. I talked with Tony for a couple minutes about it and he didn't see anything immediately concerning, but said he'd take a closer look if the board was interested in doing it.
- Like njh pointed out, we ought to have a plan for usage of the revenue before undertaking this. Which really means we need an organizer to make whatever arrangements/purchases/etc. required. A hackfest focusing on bug fixing or implementing a few highly requested features could perhaps stimulate a lot of donation activity.
I feel like that would be good, but orthogonal to putting the donation edition in USC. The reason being that I don't think people will seek out the donation edition, I think that they'll install Inkscape on their new machine and notice that there's two entries in the Software Center and go "Oh, $5, sure, why not?" and install that one. I'm hoping to get people that never visit our webpage and have any ideas of our programs.
So, I don't think spending money on a hackfest and putting in USC need to necessarily be connected. I think that'd be more important for a normal fund raising campaign, I see this more as "background" fund raising.
- What fees are charged? The TOS says 20%; any other fees?
There is some talk about credit card fees in there as well. But I couldn't figure out whether those were in the 20% or not. I'll try to grab David tomorrow and ask.
--Ted
PS - I see your numbered list and I raise you one.
On 11-12-2012 5:41, Ted Gould wrote:
On Mon, 2012-12-10 at 18:03 -0800, Bryce Harrington wrote:
On Fri, Dec 07, 2012 at 05:11:19PM -0600, Ted Gould wrote:
... PROPOSAL 2: Inkscape should release a donation edition of Inkscape to Ubuntu extras at a price set by the board.
What are people's thoughts on all of this? Yea, nay? I'm not sure it would end up being a large donation stream, but I do think it's worth trying. There will probably be some people upset at us trying to "commercialize" Inkscape, but I don't think that's really the case here and I'm willing to have that conversation.
...
- Like njh pointed out, we ought to have a plan for usage of the revenue before undertaking this. Which really means we need an organizer to make whatever arrangements/purchases/etc. required. A hackfest focusing on bug fixing or implementing a few highly requested features could perhaps stimulate a lot of donation activity.
I feel like that would be good, but orthogonal to putting the donation edition in USC. The reason being that I don't think people will seek out the donation edition, I think that they'll install Inkscape on their new machine and notice that there's two entries in the Software Center and go "Oh, $5, sure, why not?" and install that one. I'm hoping to get people that never visit our webpage and have any ideas of our programs.
So, I don't think spending money on a hackfest and putting in USC need to necessarily be connected. I think that'd be more important for a normal fund raising campaign, I see this more as "background" fund raising.
For any kind of fundraising, I think we need to have an idea of how that money could be spent. We should not be asking for money if that really is not spent on anything. I don't like the idea of ending up with money that is never spent. I don't think the ideas have to be very detailed but vague ideas are necessary I believe.
I agree that one hackfest and USC are unconnected, and I also see USC as "background" fund raising. I think such background fund raising requires an recurring/ever-present target instead of a one-off thing. For lack of inspiration at the moment: it could be as simple as the intention of organising a hackfest every year.
Off-topic: can we have chat meeting where I can ask questions to the (older members of the) board? Can be public, but no need to make a big hype about it, let's simply agree on a date and time so we can chat a bit :)
Ciao, Johan
On Tue, Dec 11, 2012 at 11:17:35PM +0100, Johan Engelen wrote:
Off-topic: can we have chat meeting where I can ask questions to the (older members of the) board? Can be public, but no need to make a big hype about it, let's simply agree on a date and time so we can chat a bit :)
Sounds good to me. #inkscape-board on FreeNode, maybe? Go ahead and set up a channel and pick a time (ideally one that's semi-convenient for Europe as well as the US), and I'll try and be there for discussions.
Bryce
participants (4)
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Bryce Harrington -
Johan Engelen -
Nathan Hurst -
Ted Gould