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List:       kde-promo
Subject:    [kde-promo] WSJ Strikeout and TypeHeads [LONG]
From:       Mark Bucciarelli <mark () easymailings ! com>
Date:       2003-04-10 3:32:55
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I'm no longer subscribed to this list, but an article in Monday's Wall 
Street Journal is prompting this email.  They did a big story on open 
source software, but did not mention KDE.  On page R6, they have a 
table like this:

OS
	Open		Linux
	Proprietary	Windows, Solaris, AIX
Graphical User Interface
	Open		Gnome
	Proprietary	Windows, Macintosh
Desktop Applications
	Open		Open Office, Ximian Desktop
	Proprietary	Microsoft Office
Browser
	Open		Mozilla
	Proprietary	Internet Explorer, Netscape
Group Email
	Open		Ximian Evolution
	Proprietary	Microsoft Outlook, Lotus Notes

A total strike out for KDE.  

I would like to suggest that KDE adopt the approach that the folks at 
typo3 (www.typo3.com) have taken; in particular, their consultant 
registry and their "Typeheads" program 
(http://typo3.com/Contribute.1226.0.html).

Here are the duties of a typo3 TypeHead:

	* at least two professional TYPO3-based solutions 
	  on your track record (NOT counting your own website)

 	* providing info on TYPO3 in your local language on 
	  your website

 	* helping newbies locally

 	* providing updates on a press list (on- and offline), 
	  preferably with real people on it.

 	* you are expected to at least try to keep track of local
	 TYPO3-installation numbers and have a reference list ready on
	 request.

 	* for most countries, being located in the capital or a major city
	 would of course be preferable. This obviously does not go for very
	 large places (US), or very small ones (like Monte Carlo).

ref: http://typo3.com/Typeheads.1350.0.html

It's all very specific and practical and seems to me to be a good 
model to follow.  There is more info on the above-reference 
page--things like what how many press releases you can expect a year 
and an on-line database to search for existing TypeHeads.

Perhaps this could be a function of KDE League, but frankly they are 
too closed with their finances for me and I have an irrational 
distrust of all those company logos on their page.  ;)   (It would be 
nice to see on-line income statements and balance sheets.)  Also, 
there have been bad vibes around the League--those on the "inside" 
seem over-worked and under-appreciated and those on the "outside" 
seem to feel excluded and suspicious.  Since we are all working for 
the same thing with good intentions, to me this suggests a structural 
problem that is limiting information flow.

In any case, KDE isn't even on the Wall Street Journal's radar.  You 
can talk about conspiracies and how Sun and RedHat and Ximian and 
name_your_big_evil_company are plotting against KDE (some of which 
may be true), or take it as a wake up call.

I would like to help, but I don't even qualify according the the 
typehead criteria--I have not installed KDE on any companies machine.   
Actually, have you?  Do you know if any companies are running KDE in 
your area?  This would be valuable information to collect.

I could help set up such a local registry on the promo web site.  But 
more discussion must come first.  George Staikos started some last 
January, albeit on a different tact, getting people out to do talks 
and attend conferences.  I think this, combined with the TypeHead 
grass-roots approach, would be extremely effective.

Ok, I'll close with a little usability test: I'm a report, and my 
first task is to find a press contact for Gnome.  My second task is 
to find one for KDE.

I'll pretend I am the Wall Street Journal Reporter, and my task is to 
find the name and phone number of a KDE press contact.

1. Goto google, enter "gnome press contact"
2. Click the first link.

Now for KDE ...

1. Google, search "kde press contact"
2. First hit is an email about press contacts in Brazil.
3. Second hit is a reply to that email.
4. Third hit is a Suse press release from 1999
5. Fourth hit is suse press release about kde 3.1
6.  Click that link
7.  Scroll to bottom of page.  No "For more info" contact info.
8.  There's a link to the full announcement.  Click that.
9.  Scroll to the bottom -- ah, there it is.  
	Andreas Pour, KDE League, Inc.
	email and phone.

In fact, the press release was written by Andreas.

Now, try the same query but substitute gnome for kde.  Click on the 
first link.  What a difference.

In Community, 

Mark
 
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