>
> How did we suddenly get a commercial exploitation of this voluntary effort
> in the picture! If we are opening the floor for commercial bidders, I
> suggest we do just that!!! OPEN THE FLOOR!
Since a company offered to provide free serivces to help in a GPL design
of a mips based unix box. If you find others please let us know.
> Don't get me wrong, I am all for commercial exploitation... if those exploited
> earn something for their labors (its called a job)! Volunteers should have a
> clear picture of who is gaining from their altruism.
This is true, but those volunteers also have to appreciate services
that aren't for free like building a motherboard with SMT chips.
> If we are entertaining bids for commercial partners who earn profit by
> moving this board and Linux port into commercial areas, then perhaps we
> should set some guidlines for such bids and accept open public (net email)
> bids.
By my understanding Waldorf has offered to help in the design for free.
Since it's going to be GPL you can easily request the design and build
it yourself.
> I for example may be interested in such a venture if there is
> potential for profit! I work as a contract SW jock and have in the past
> collaberated with HW jocks and FAB shops for PCB production.
Well help in the design (which has already been volunteered) and when
production starts put in a bid.)
I would personally favor any board produced by design particpants
then a profit motivated source.
Waldorf has alot to gain from this, access to a mips designed
motherboard for there own purposes, and we have alot to
gain from them (access to there production facilities) sounds like
a great partnership.
--
Bill 1st> Broadley@neurocog.lrdc.pitt.edu
Broadley@schneider3.lrdc.pitt.edu <2nd 3rd> Broadley+@pitt.edu
Linux is great. Bike to live, live to bike. PGP-ok
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