Sam Hiser and I did this sort of thing for a large UNIX company marketing a Linux desktop. Users need a portal to navigate all the web sites and resources out on the Web; also, a searchable knowledge base would help, howtos and pointers to moderated forums such as LinuxQuestions. We can also consolidate rpm packagers or put up a place for people to find backports. That really brings the noise level down and allows for some customer satisfaction. I'm on the Legacy project and they could use some help. Mr. Shuttleworth has provided centralized space with his desktop distribution and has the most active Linux community on the planet. I heard about the excitement and participation but didn't really "get it" until I saw it for myself. I delete hundreds of emails a day from just one of their mailing lists. I can find pretty much anything I want or need to on google and it usually starts with "Ubuntu Forums". Now, they released their first package in November and shipped their millionth CD in May. Sam and I laid out a plan for such a community for the UNIX/Storage company mentioned above before Mr. Shuttleworth launched his. He's doing everything we suggested in our plan - (I will provide anyone documentation on this off-line.) Colin - what about an update of your desktop user's guide? O'Reilly and Associates might release it under their Community Press. People would like to participate in updating it and perhaps adding more material. Industry focus I strongly recommend getting behind education on a global scale and that means talking to people like School Forge. Also some alliances with projects like FreeNX, Arabeyes.com, etc. I'm also wondering about reaching the channel. Many small resellers install Fedora and can provide level 1 and 2 support. That should not conflict with Red Hat's main business and could lead people to consider the mothership's products and services. That's all for right now. Tom Tom
