Re: Table at computer sales

["Robert G. Brown" <bob@xxxxxxx>]

>I am happy to see positive support on the computer show idea.  I understand
>selling klug shirts my be a little impractical, however I do believe
>that we would be in the right to sell CD'S.
We merely need to work out some details; anything is possible within some
broad limits. We don't need to sell shirts, and we could sell (and give
away) some other items as well.

>Bob: you stated that there are other vendors selling linux there at
>computer shows.
Yes, I watch for this very carefully, for exactly the sort of thing we're
talking about. I've also talked to vendors about how much volume they see
in moving Linux software.

>I have only been attending computer shows in K-zoo and Grand Rapids for
>about a year.  I have yet to see a vendor actively sell linux.
I'm not sure what you mean by "actively". There are at least two vendors
that appear regularly at these sales that set up Linux distribution boxes
(I've seen Red Hat, Suse, Slackware, Corel, and Caldera) so you can see
them from a distance. One vendor sells a collection of Linux CD's from
third-party software distributors (companies that are selling freeware or
shareware, but don't have their own Linux distro). These guys have even
sold Corel Office 8.0 With Corel Linux bundled.

>Some one might have 1 Red Hat box and it's usually out of date and $50.00.
>Im not saying that Red  Hat is not worth it, it is just that if I paid that
>I would want the latest version;)
I understand your sense of this, and I have seen back-dated Linux distros
as well. There is some awareness that they are not keeping up, and I've
also noticed that such things are discounted some.

There's also a book vendor that sells Linux-related books, some with CD's
in them.

My point here is that we need to think this through carefully. One effect
that I don't think we want is to discourage vendors from selling Linux
distros or Linux software at all. By selling our own product, we are in
effect under-cutting them, and they can't do anything about it! I'm not
against selling CD's, but there are ways to present this that will not have
the chilling effect I'm concerned about. Ultimately, we can lead the
interested vendors towards carrying more up-to-date Linux products.

                                                            Regards,
                                                            ---> RGB <----