[libreoffice-marketing] Re: LibreOffice with Windows on new computers: why not?

Hi Marc, Graham, all,

Marc Paré wrote:
> Le 2010-10-30 23:05, Graham Lauder a écrit :
> > On Sunday 31 Oct 2010 14:24:08 Anthony Papillion wrote:
> > > On 10/30/2010 7:54 PM, Michel Gagnon wrote:
> > > > [...] would it be possible to convince the major
> > > > manufacturers to install the latest version of LibreOffice alongside the
> > > > other software and crapware they include in their new computers? 
> > > [...   ]
> > > I'm not sure this would be possible right now. [...]
> > >  I've even heard that Microsoft often has it as part of their
> > > agreement with OEM's that they will not have pre-install competing
> > > software. [...]
> > > I think LibO should work to get on store shelves. Keep the open source
> > > ideal but use the money from boxed sales to fund the foundation and
> > > future development. [...]
> >
> > I agree completely with this, however what needs to happen is to make it
> > profitable to distributors.  This is other leg of the type of business model
> > that Ian is talking about.

In my eyes there are just two reasonable possibilities: 

Allow distributors to sell LibO on behalf of TDF (with some kind of contract
that grants us a certain percentage of revenue)

or 

Create a community driven shop (online-shop, t-shirts and other 
merchandizing, contact for resellers ...) donating all the money they get to TDF.

While the first way would reduce the amount of money we get per item,  
it reduces the risk and doens't bind our personal resources.

For the latter possiblity I'd like to see volunteers interested in contributing 
in this area without being paid for their work. In any other case we would 
prefer one shop over another only because it has been part of the 
community earlier - different levels of dedication will not be able to measure...

> >   A distributor wholesales the software with a support package.  This support
> > package is backed up by helpdesk staff who have been through the INGOTs
> > programme.  The distributor purchases the media from a Foundation approved
> > supplier (OpenSLX do this for the OpenSUSE boxed set for Novell),  a portion
> > of that wholesale price goes to the Foundation.  Included in the boxed set is
> > a manual as well to add value, OOoAuthors "Getting Started Manuals" for
> > instance then OOoAuthors could be funded as well.
> >
> > As soon as you assign a value as well as add value then the retailer can add
> > margin and in one swoop you get rid of the biggest barrier to retail sales.
> >
> > Same thing applies to OEM, they sell a machine with LibO preinstalled with
> > media and Manual.  On a DVD you lose the download size issue, so clipart
> > templates, application manuals and extensions could be made available as well,
> > packaged with a good installer with various platform versions on board and
> > translations to suit local markets.  That has value and he can sell to suit.
> > Either bare-bones download install, (no support other than the normal and no
> > extras)  or the DVD with extras at a fair price.

There are already activities for a LibO-DVD package to be downloadable as ISO
(by the people creating the Germanophone PrOOo-Box in the past) - containing 
quite a number of additional value as documentation, clipart, templates, 
extensions and others.

I'm quite sure that this can be used by distributors in future.
> > [...]
>
> However, we do have to be careful not to alienate users who will later 
> find out that the distro is a free download. They would need some kind 
> of great value for their money .. as you said support package; clipart; 
> manual etc. 

I'd ask every distributor interested in becoming a "officially approved 
community distributor" to add a line visible at their site containing the 
download link at our website and a comment that the application can be 
downloaded there free of charge.

This would cause them to describe the additional value their package
contains over the free download (except download costs) and people 
could decide if this is worthwhile...
> [...]
>
> [...] it may be worthwhile instead to mount more 
> creative style campaigns such as paying OEM's to print the TDF/LibO logo 
> with short offer of the download of the free software; a sticker banner 
> that users could stick on their brand new box with the LibO site address 
> and download instructions; something that looks like an on-line dating 
> service "Call me and we can get together over a nice cup of LibO" etc. 
> This may be a better way or an additional way of creating user and brand 
> awareness.

This kind of marketing strategy could become quite successful, if the general
feeling is "LibO is cool". 
But on the other hand I don't want to pay OEMs to add a sticker on their boxes. 
We can provide the stickers and encourage them to stick it to their products, if 
they are interested in supporting LibreOffice (and they might be listed on the 
website).

A sticker "LibO included" might work in the same direction.

Best regards

Bernhard




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