Re: [libreoffice-users] Steam Distribution Inquiry

Hi :)

I think the main people you need to contact are the Steering Committee
steering-discuss+subscribe@documentfoundation.org
General discussions about other aspects of TDF are on a separate list
discuss+subscribe@documentfoundation.org
but the steering discuss is the more useful list for your needs i think.  

LibreOffice is released under copyleft agreements so you don't really need to 
even ask permission to copy and distribute.  There are a few caveats of course.  
The original source code must be made available to anyone that wants it.  


If you want to mirror the TDF download sites then this list might be helpful for 
a quick result
mirrors+subscribe@documentfoundation.org


Further Detail
If you make a profit then it would be best to give a percentage or just an 
amount of that back to TDF.  Steam personel can modify the code but licensing 
and maintaining the result is tricky unless you choose the same copyleft 
agreement as the original.  Many organisations put resources (time, personnel, 
whatever) into TDF to develop code, documentation, translations and so on to get 
some control over which issues are addressed in those areas.  This will happen 
more although the individual volunteers base also grows rapidly and everyone is 
treated equally within TDF as it is a meritocracy.  Some organisations such as 
Google, RedHat, Novell and so on have put people on an advisory board that 
advises the Steering Committee and the Board of Directors.  Steam could become a 
full member at that level but it costs a bit and i am not sure about the 
details.  Again that is an issue for the Steering Committee
steering-discuss+subscribe@documentfoundation.org


Side Issues
If you want to create Dvds to distribute then there are various 'localised' 
versions available.  I think the North American, German, Spanish, possibly 
Brazilian 'localised' versions are already available but you could have people 
join in to help develop those or others.  The marketting list is useful for that 
and things such as the international magazine (developed originally by the 
Brazilian Team)
marketing+subscribe@global.libreoffice.org
As other people have already stated that might be a good place to deal with most 
of the issues you asked about.  Personally i think Steam are large enough to 
have issues that the Steering Committee might be more helpful with
steering-discuss+subscribe@documentfoundation.org

Perhaps join the websites list to find out about whether TDF have torrenting 
set-up. 

website+subscribe@global.libreoffice.org

If you would like to develop a UI, perhaps as an "add-on" (we call them 
"Extensions") then the Design Team might be interested and might be keen to help 
with the work
design+subscribe@global.libreoffice.org


As you can see there are a lot of groups working at different aspects and it 
just depends how quickly you want Steam to integrate into those areas to 
maximise their usefulness to Steam.  For a fast result i would talk to the 
Mirrors group and then also join the Steering group list for discussions about 
expanding the potential for Steam.

Good luck and regards from
Tom Davies





________________________________
From: Mark Richardson <markr@valvesoftware.com>
To: "users@global.libreoffice.org" <users@global.libreoffice.org>
Sent: Thu, 23 June, 2011 18:27:13
Subject: [libreoffice-users] Steam Distribution Inquiry

Hello,

We would like to discuss distributing LibreOffice through our worldwide digital 
platform, Steam.  We are a leader in video game distribution and service.  We 
are launching an application store in October and would like to include 
LibreOffice.  You can find us at Steampowered.com.

We are a worldwide distributor with 30 million customers, in 22 languages, 21 
localized payment forms and 3 currencies.

Let me know when you might have a chance to discuss.

Sincerely,
Mark Richardson
markr@valvesoftware.com<mailto:markr@valvesoftware.com>
425-952-2785


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