What are the best ways and practices to selling disc copies of Trisquel?
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I'm really short on cash right now, and already I am in debt, not to mention I feel guilty for not donating to the Trisquel project.
Since Trisquel is Libre Software, and one of the Freedoms allows you to charge people for copies of Trisquel AND give it out for gratis, what are the best practices in regards to selling Trisquel to the masses?
I was thinking of making boxed copies to sell to local shops; the marketing strategy I am planning on using is that you can use what I sell to make copies and sell it yourself, as well as the other Four Freedoms entailing using software, modifying it, and accessing source code on the official page.
But what are your opinions on this?
Give it a try. Don't forget your obligations under the GPL.
Check out http://softwarefreedom.org/resources/2008/compliance-guide.html
I recommend 4.1.1 Option (a): Source Alongside Binary
"GPLv2 § 3(a) and v3 § 6(a) embody the easiest option for providing source code: including Corresponding Source with every binary distribution. While other options appear initially less onerous, this option invariably minimizes potential compliance problems, because when you distribute Corresponding Source with the binary, your GPL obligations are satisfied at the time of distribution. This is not true of other options, and for this reason, we urge you to seriously consider this option. If you do not, you may extend the duration of your obligations far beyond your last binary distribution..."
Fortunately the Trisquel download page includes a Source DVD ISO. Just include that along with it.
Of course, if you're selling to stores then they'll also need to pass on the same stuff. They may also need a course on this topic.
Also, I think that source DVD only includes the source for what's on the Trisquel ISO; it doesn't include everything from the Trisquel repos. If you or a store are selling computers with that plus more software that they've installed from the Trisquel repositories (or elsewhere) then Trisquel's source DVD won't be enough.
This is a fascinating idea. At one point I tried to sell USBs pre-loaded with Trisquel. I didn't manage to sell any, but I got a whole bunch of USBs while they were going cheap, which have turned out to be useful ;) Let us know if you do this, and how it does! But maybe a thread in the 'general free software talk' forum might be a more appropriate place to discuss it? As I understand it, 'Trisquel-users' is more of a helpdesk forum for helping people using Trisquel.
I am a translator!
I think it would be an interesting idea for distributing Trisquel in general. Selling nice-looking branded flash drives pre-loaded with Trisquel seems like the best idea.
Edit: If you REALLY want to make it awesome and worthwhile buying, create a printed version of the Trisquel Documentation and put it in the box, as well as some basic GNU/Linux manual, maybe some book from fsf.org like this. I'm not sure how big that manual is, if it is not too huge, it would fit nicely in there. Do you remember how OpenSUSE used to be packaged? Several thick manuals, really in-depth stuff as well as a quick reference guide for beginners to get everything running. That's the way I'd like my OS to be packaged!
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