Responding to -nfp as its not a technical discussion


On 2009.12.03 03:15, Jeroen Roovers wrote:
> Neither the ballot nor the announcement contains the actual
> question that is to be voted on. In the case of the announcement the
> problem isn't as huge as with the ballot, so the latter should be
> fixed
> soon, I guess.
> 
> Roy's message does mention the actual question (and I must say that
> it's rather vague):
> 
> "Should major Gentoo users be permitted to purchase ads on the
> sidebar"
> 
[snip]
> 
> So that's two issues:
> 
> 1) The ballot and announcement do not mention the question we are
>    voting on.
> 2) The question is vague.
> 
> 
> Regards,
>      jer
> 

Jer,

Background:-

The Foundation has been approached by a number of Financial Services 
sector companies who use Gentoo for their businesses. At least one 
claims 100+ installs.

They do not want to donate data centre services, which is the 
traditional way of getting a side bar listing, instead they are 
offering money. We don't appear to be short of data centre donations 
right now and we can use money for other things that further the aims 
of the Gentoo Foundation Inc.

Note that we already have a similar advertiser on the side bar who do 
donate in the traditional way.

When the possibility of paid advertising was raised about May/Jun 2008 
by a (now) former trustee, it met with a fairly hostile reception.
Thus on this occasion, the trustees determined to put the option to 
break with tradition to the Foundation members. 

The Question:-

The question is deliberately vague. Paid for advertising on the side 
bar represents a break with tradition - that's really what the vote is 
about, not any individual advertisments, nor their style, size and so 
on. The trustees will consider each application on its individual 
merits. A yes vote will give the trustees a mandate to do just that. A 
no vote will maintain the status quo.

At present, the trustees are only considering accepting advertising 
from large Gentoo users, where the value of "large" will be determined 
by the trustees from time to time. 

-- 
Regards,

Roy Bamford
(Neddyseagoon) an member of
gentoo-ops
forum-mods
trustees