Re: [libreoffice-website] Changing donation URL on LibO homepage

Thanks for the reply.

I know how much it can cost to do the business startup for a 
not-for-profit type.  It can cost thousands of dollars to get it right.  
Copyrights and trademarks is another big budget item.  When I created 
Kracked Press Productions, in the early 1990's it did not cost as much 
as it does today.  The costs just for the legal fees are now more than a 
years' worth of my income to do it right.

As soon as the paperwork is done, then somehow, somewhere, having items 
to sell that will see money from it go into TDF/LO's accounts for 
running the business and marketing the product will be helpful.  Can you 
imagine what it would be like to go to a software convention, or other 
type, with 10 or more people wearing logo shirts with some great phrase 
about why you should switch to LO?  People see it and might wonder what 
it is and then look it up at home, or come over to talk to one of the 
people wearing the shirts.  It would be interesting to find a place that 
offers good prices on placing a large logo on the back of a light jacket 
or sweatshirt, with something on the front as well.  Walk down the 
street, people follow and see the logo with a URL.

Having "living" banner advertisements walking down the street, or in 
shopping areas, could be one way to get the word out there.  I know a 
place in New York City.  They do embroidery as their specialty.  They 
also do silk-screening.  I know that their minimum order is just 4 
pieces, so you do not need large orders.  I was thinking about getting 
an order in a few months, or at least before Spring.  Winter weather is 
not good walking around without heavy jackets on.  But it would be a way 
to have professional polo shirts made with the logo.



On 09/27/2011 04:30 AM, Florian Effenberger wrote:
> Hi,
>
> webmaster for Kracked Press Productions wrote on 2011-09-26 16:21:
>
> > Since I was told that the donations was for the German location, server,
> > marketing, etc., I was wondering if that was true? To be honest, I know
> > there is a need to pay for the running of servers and other things that
> > the TDF/LO needs as an organization it is currently. Things cost money
> > and it should not be required for individuals to foot the bills for a
> > professional organization. Bandwidth and electricity are two monthly
> > bills that everyone can agree on that needs money to keep things going.
> > Then there are fees involved with the government paperwork for setting
> > up and running an organization.
>
> I agree, we didn't point our the latest spendings to the lists - I am 
> sorry for that, and that surely will be done.
>
> The main investments currently have been for trademarks, professional 
> law services, the crosscompiling development work we've been 
> discussing on steering-discuss@, the LibOCon (dito) and some 
> infrastructure.
>
> > For me personally, I would like to see some donations go into regional
> > marketing, if possible.
> >
> > I know that there were many shows that LO people were at in the
> > USA/Canada region and they really could have used some marking dollars
> > to print up banners, print up brochures, make give aways [CDs/DVDs,
> > key-chains, shirts, etc.], and any other item needed for having a good
> > looking table at a show.
>
> Definitely, we need to find a way to provide money for community 
> activities. Right now, it is easy: We simply don't have enough money. 
> I plan a second round of fundraising, but I want the foundation to be 
> established for that, because the foundation is what we promised for 
> the first round, and I first like to make that happen before asking 
> for money again. :-) (BTW, a status update on the foundation will be 
> blogged soon. Thinks do look good.)
>
> In parallel, we should evaluate how to cooperate with local NGOs and 
> teams, how to collect and distribute money. This is something on the 
> agenda for the Paris conference.
>
> Hope that helps a bit ;)
> Florian


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