Free Software Consortium Seeks Local Consultants and Agents
Seth Johnson
plug-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us
Wed, 18 Dec 2002 06:37:37 -0500
(Forwarded from Free Software Foundation Europe Discussion
list. FAQ page from web site pasted below. -- Seth)
-------- Original Message --------
Date: Wed, 18 Dec 2002 10:22:58 +0100
From: Jan Wildeboer <jan.wildeboer@gmx.de>
To: discussion@fsfeurope.org
I just got this in my mail and am quite surprised. Is this
coordinated/endorsed with/by the FSF or just a private
action?
Jan Wildeboer
-------- Original Message --------
Resent-Date: Thu, 12 Dec 2002 02:50:22 +0100 (CET)
Resent-From: uugrn@uugrn.org
Date: Wed, 11 Dec 2002 17:25:42 -0600
From: Consorcio Software Libre <info1@csl.cc>
Organization: Consorcio Software Libre
We would like to invite you to be a founding members of the
FSC either as a Consultant and/or an Agent.
> http://www.fsconsortium.com
On the main page you will find links to subscribe as
consultant and/or agent.
Free Software Consortium is a multinational consortium
established to link the companies and the independent
consultants that use and promote free software.
One of the bigger obstacles to the development of the free
software services market is the fear of many companies to
establish contracts with independent consultants who do not
have support of a well known Company, Corporation or
Consortium. Questioning quality, support, experience and
capability to successfully complete a project are the
companies manager's main concerns when considering the
option of migrating their systems to free software.
Like you, we know the excellent quality that Free Software
offers. We have complete confidence that Free Software is
going to be the platform of the future. That is why it's so
important to work and consolidate together to solve the
problem mentioned above.
Free Software Consortium intends to fill this void joining
the best free software companies and consultants at the
national and international level.
By joining to Free Software Consortium you or your company
will have the following benefits:
1. Possibility of being hired by other Consortium members.
2. Possibility of hiring other Consortium members.
3. Use of the Consortium image and name with your clients.
4. Use of the Consortium's resources like Publicity
Brochures, Business Cards, Banners for presentations and
events, financial presentations, publicity articles for the
press and magazines, support via mailing list and forums
with the Consortium's members, marketing and communication
assistance, CD's and manuals from the Consortium, site and
mail hosting (yourarea.fsc.cc) and other future services.
5. Representation of the FS Consortium in your area to share
administrative, legal and marketing resources between the
Consultant members in your area.
Free Software Consortium will establish a contract with an
Agent company which will have exclusive representation in
it's area, in charge of organizing the consultants in the
area. This Agent company will provide the administrative
services, marketing and sales with the local customers.
From the business generated by the Free Software Consortium,
the Agent company will receive 20% of the value of the
contract, and the Consultant or Consulting company will
receive 80%.
The Free Software Consortium is developing a new business
model and invites you to join as a founding member and
contribute in developing this new business model. We need
your valuable help to give us ideas and comments. Please
write to info@fsconsortium.com
Thank you for your attention.
Free Software Consortium
http://www.fsconsortium.com
info@fsc.cc
_______________________________________________
Discussion mailing list
Discussion@fsfeurope.org
https://mailman.fsfeurope.org/mailman/listinfo/discussion
----
> http://www.fsconsortium.com/faq.html
Frequently Asked Questions
When and why was the FSC constituted?
Free Software Consortium is being formed during the second
half of 2002, through the affiliation of Consultants and
Agents in different geographical locations.
The FSC has emerged from a consolidation of professionals
and companies that joined efforts to offer solid support and
highly professional solutions based on Free Software. FSC
seeks to meet a market demand not previously filled,
particularly within the Corporate market.
Why are you using the logo with the red parrot (Papagayo)?
The Papagayo was chosen as a symbol of the commitment of the
Free Software Consortium with the Agenda 21 or any other
social or development initiative.
Agenda 21 is a worldwide effort to protect the environment
and fight extreme poverty. Details in:
http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/agenda21.htm
The FSC is today supporting Agenda 21 and the Development
Gateway Foundation www.developmentgateway.org through the
implementation of a software plataform for multisectorial
cooperation.
What are the short term plans of the Free Software
Consortium?
The short term plans of the Consortium are: Q1-Q2 2003: To
enroll a worldwide community of Consulters and
Agents/Companies
Q3 2003: To discuss the main governance issues between the
members.
Q4 2003: To vote and define the main governance issues
between the members.
What kind of associates does the FSC have?
The Free Software Consortium has two types of Associates:
The Consultant: Is the professional with wide experience in
solutions based on free software and implements solutions
directly with his clients. The Consultant is bound to his
local Agent or directly to the FSC. The Consultant can also
be a local Agent.
The local Agent: Is the entity that puts in practice FSC's
business model in his locality.
What requisites/criteria are you requesting for Agents?
At this moment the only requisite is to be able to sell free
software services at their location.
Starting Q3, 2003, new requisites, defined by the free
software members, consulters and agents, may be required.
Agents and their local consulters will be strongly advised
to cooperate in any social project in their community
(installing GNU/Linux in schools, consulting for social
agencies,etc).
What requisites/criteria are you requesting for Consulters?
At this moment the only requisite is to be knowledgeable in
any specific area related to free software.
Starting Q3, 2003, new requisites, defined by the free
software members, consulters and agents, may be requested.
Who can join the FSC?
Any consultant or entrepreneur that is familiar with the
free software movement and is interested to participate in
this new business model.
How could I join the FSC?
Fill the form:
Consultant
Agent
Which services does FSC offers to its affiliates?
Free Software Consortium Multinational membership
(Corporative presence).
International Support Network.
Manuals, Media, Printed Licenses.
Hosting in our servers, with mail accounts and sub domains.
Graphic arts for brochures and press, news paper
advertisements, business cards
Installation, Support, Maintenance, andApplications
Development, based on free software.
Contracts and regulations between the Consultants and the
local Agents.
Joint development of this innovative business model.
Communication channels in accordance with our Governance
Policies
Which countries does the FSC cover?
The FSC has global scope. Our international operations are
located in Vancouver. For the clients in the United States,
we have an office in Miami, Florida, and for the Spanish
speaking countries, our offices are located in Costa Rica.
What is the responsibility of the Local Agent?
To consolidate a high level free software network of
professionals in his locality.
To promote and market the Free Software Consortium supply in
the local market through different marketing techniques.
How much must the Local Agent pay?
The annual introductory fee is US$250.00
What happens when a region serviced by consultants does not
have the representation of a local agent ?
Free Software Consortium will concentrate its efforts on
searching local representation and, if fails, it could
eventually assume your locality's representation.
How are Corporate accounts handled?
Normally, the Local Agent assumes the management of the
clients in his locality. Nevertheless, when the agent
considers it convenient, the Consortium can assume the
representation in order to increase the corporate presence.
What is the vision of the future of the Free Software
Consortium?
The Consortium's vision is to create a new business model
suitable for free software and social responsibility.
We expect the worldwide consolidation not just of the Free
Software Consortium, but also of other new
initiatives/forks, with similar models, consolidating free
software and promoting social awareness and responsibility.