3:11 p.m.
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/
3:24 p.m.
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
6:03 p.m.
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
8:41 p.m.
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:
1. 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.
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.
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.
3. 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.
2:17 p.m.
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.
>
> ...
>
> 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.
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
4:41 p.m.
New subject: Board IRC (was Re: Proposal: Submit releases to Ubuntu My Apps)
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
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5 comments
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participants (4)
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Ted Gould