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Re: [PLUG] OT: Linux Business Forum
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I think PLUG is an obvious resource for technical questions about linux,
but I don't think PLUG can help me sell Linux or put me in contact with
people looking to buy Linux solutions.
There was a recent post on other (non-linux) x86 unixes, because someone's
boss didn't think Linux was a supportable OS. I didn't get to read all the
responses, so please forgive if this was already covered, but the bosses
understanding was just plain wrong! We all know this is utter nonesense.
We are all trained to talk the tech, but not the biz. It's business people
that have the money to spend on tech! I'm coming to realize that I need to
learn to talk with them in a language they understand. It would be nice if
this fellow had a resource where he could pull "Marketing" information to
present to his boss - to support and ecourage a Linux decision.
Microsoft has had this type of VAR community services for years. Their
small business reseller channel is a huge money maker. A small VAR can
find all kinds of resources about how to sell MS against Novell (at least
when that was a threat) and Sun or IBM or whoever. Now, Microsoft has
recognized the value of the developer community to the linux movement, and
they are putting community functionality into their technical products and
releasing their version of source forge. They have learned from us - we
need to learn from them.
I think that if Linux is going to become really big - it needs to be a
winner in business. Business people WANT to spend money on Linux - they
just don't know they do - AND they don't want to spend as much as they
have for other systems (otherwise - what's the point). I think that the
Linux community needs the equivalent of the MS marketing and business
forums - same way MS realizes they need the equivalent of the Linux
developer community.
There is a site called Linux4SmallBiz or something similar - but it
doesn't have much content. I think trying to create a site with the
equivalent of MS's marketing aides is a lost cause. However, I think a
community site where Linux VAR's can contribute would grow to be nearly as
valuable as MS's offering. As a Linux VAR, maybe I make a presentation
that I want to post and let others use as a sales aide. Or maybe someone
else posts a spreadsheet for calculating licensing cost saving. Or what
ever. Maybe they just say - Hey, I know a guy in Conshehocken that needs a
firewall, but I'm too busy.
Does this make sense? Does this sound interesting to anyone?
Chris
> On Tue, 15 Oct 2002, W. Chris Shank wrote:
>> I finally made the plunge into the business world. My business is
>> heavily focused on bridging Windows & Linux for businesses. I think
>> that Linux has a bright future in business and am wondering if there
>> is any interest in
>
> Is there any group elsewhere doing something along the lines of what you
> have in mind? Either in Linux or other issues? It helps sometimes, to
> point to an example or to build your concept based upon templates you
> see elsewhere. My first thought is "uhm, PLUG".. but of course I'm
> thinking "well, PLUG may be too technical for a 'business forum'..." but
> if this forum is only for people who sell Linux [stuff] [to businesses]
> then, it is a forum for the techs, [and tech salespeople] so then... is
> there a need for another networking/education organization? Are you
> talking about monthly meetings or a yearly demoday/convention/conference
> type thing? A one-time or occasional event is what I feel when I hear
> "Business Forum." Obviously, a "Linux Business Forum" could be marketed
> differently than a "Linux Users Group" to business people, etc. but I'm
> not exactly sure what you have in mind.
>
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