[mythtv-users] selling hardware

[ramon.roca at xcombo.com]

----- Original Message -----
From: Alex Davidson
To: Discussion about mythtv
Sent: Monday, April 28, 2003 6:35 PM
Subject: Re: [mythtv-users] selling hardware


> I had also toyed with suggesting a licensing scheme (if I ever manage to
get my own test system working and eventually get a business built around
the same concept)

----- Original Message -----
From: Edward Wildgoose
To: ramon.roca at xcombo.com ; Discussion about mythtv
Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2003 2:42 PM
Subject: Re: [mythtv-users] selling hardware

> I think this is a great idea.

> However, I think that if you wanted to build a *business* then a really
great forward would be to try and build into the price some slack to either
"pay" developers

Totally agree Edward,
However, in my opinion, being realistic, to talk about real business with
earnings looks wonderful but I don't think that makes sense (yet), GNU
software and the software that someone ads to it never can be licensed, and
many things still to mature.
I'm just talking at this point of selling hardware that we know that works,
configure it and therefore help beginners join to this project and sharing
experiences between those who do this. At this point I don't see earnings in
term of benefits, even if you do sell harware, the margins do not provide
such possibilities, and adding an extra cost, for instance, as a service for
configuration, for something that can break in any moment.... by now just
getting the money back and spending time on it And time, like probably many
of you is something that I don't have in excess. I'm still looking in many
things and let's see if can finish some of them!
Anyway, again, if anybody is interested, specially in Spain, and if fits
into my possibilities and constraints, I'll try to help. And if anybody else
wants to share reources that could be excellent as well.
I'm just thinking... providing disk images to dump over specific hardware
configurations, constructing a site to build a community of who are doing
this, to give an example, there are many questions that those buyers can
come to you, like helping them to synch their palm or download their digital
fotos from their camera!, which obviously is not a mythtv question...,
selecting hardware, maybe hardware comparisons? look i.e. at vcdhelp.com...
I don't know, comments wellcome,.
Of course, if the things mature, and a real revenue stream comes with
earnings, i.e. as an internet shop, then the developers should somehow
either get paid or be invited to join the activity, I don't now. But that's
future.
My current plans are still to maintain the current job that I'm getting paid
for and therefore be able to handle my mortage... In the meantime I have to
find time for building another box that a friend have asked me for, see if I
can do something on the DVB thing, maintan the xmltv grabber for Spain  and
also to allow some translations happens ... :)

Ramon.