Ideas to Generate Revenue for Canonical Inc.

[maynoth]

I think if Ubuntu is going to take off it is going to need more development funds. It will have to evolve to the point that any person can use and install without understanding the CLI. Mr Shuttleworth is an awesome guy but even a rich philanthropist like him will at some point quit funding this project. I think the time is now to begin discussing ways for canonical to start standing on its own feet. In any case any extra money would speed up development. I want to see Microsoft die a horrible swift death, the more Canonical has to spend on R&D the faster that will happen.



Here are some ideas I have had to help boost revenue.


1. Offer an Ubuntu Linux Certification (like Comptia etc)

2. Sell Training Materials (Books, DVDs, Flashcards, Software, etc.)

3. Sell Ubuntu Merchandise (shirts, hats, plushies, backpacks, etc.)

4. A Secured Cash-back Ubuntu Credit Card, where all profit went to Canonical Inc. (no risk to canonical because it is a secured card)

5. Offer Supporters and die hard fans of ubuntu a chance give money without donating out of their own pocket. Perhaps like a program that loads at start-up which displays scrolling ads (which you can rent out) and might use their computer resources while idle to do distributed computing work (also which you can rent out). This could be a totally voluntary program and be offered as a non-bundled separate download for windows, macOS, ubuntu etc... this way no one could accuse you of installing spy-ware on their machines etc. You could ask people to run it to help support ubuntu and make it a community wide effort. I am sure it would be able to generate lots of revenue. Maybe also you could have a reward system to receive ubuntu merchandice after so many hours were completed. (I would run this 24X7 to help support the cause)

6. Build a Separate Commercial Project... Like PayBuntu or something... which would include a DVD Player, XMMS, Mplayer, etc. with all the non-free software that Ubuntu is missing... Maybe polish it over like Xandros etc. (hey I would buy it!) Most consumers feel anything free must not be worth having, or it must have a catch. Having a Cheap Walmart Version (tm) would definitely get some the project some exposure.

7. How bout an Ubuntu Linux Magazine, with lots of cool articles tips and how-to's?

I am looking forward to everyone elses ideas... maybe the Canonical managers will take notice!

[aysiu]

It will have to evolve to the point that any person can use and install without understand the CLI.

No operating system can be installed by any person.

[teaker1s]

think you'll find that mark shuttleworth has a new paid for linux aimed at enterprise and with his backing ubuntu doesn't have any risk of financial problems

[Sirin]

6. Build a Separate Commercial Project... Like PayBuntu or something...

That name seems very disturbing.

[maynoth]

I didn't mean this thread to bash ubuntu or upset anyone.

It's just reality that the more money Canonical Inc. has for R&D on Ubuntu the faster it is going to evolve. I really think they need to be generating as much money as possible to speed development.

[brownie17]

scrap option 6. option 5 is good though.
if it it ever happens, tell me about it.

[maynoth]

How bout an Ubuntu Linux Magazine, with lots of cool articles tips and how-to's?

[TravisNewman]

Option 6 is sort of already in the works. Impilinux.

5 isn't a bad idea, but it's kinda weird too. Not sure what I think yet.

The first 3 are great.

[fuscia]

ubuntu porn. you know...wallpapers, icons, widgets, etc.

[az]

I think if Ubuntu is going to take off it is going to need more development funds.

Ubuntu *has* taken off. You mostly do not need the CLI to do stuff, but most of the issues you are thinking of are not the responsability of the distributer, but of the upstream developers.

Gnome is almost there and will get there really soon.

As for financial sustainability, well Ubuntu is not responsable for that. Canonical is a for-profit company which is pouring a lot of ressources into launchpad. They are already offering translation services through it and are generating some revenue that way. Launchpad.net

Some have referred to Impilinux as a proprietary-enhanced Ubuntu. I do not think this is so. I think it is an effort to add to the south african IT marketplace. I doubt it is an effort to fill any perceived void in what Ubuntu can't offer. That is more or less against the values that Mark Shuttleworth seems to hold important.

So, if you want Canonical to do well, try to support Ubuntu and make it the best desktop OS you can think of. That way, all the ancillary services that Canonical are developing will follow along with the Ubuntu Community.