On Thu, Nov 18, 2004 at 04:36:50PM -0700, drobbins wrote:
> OK, then it sounds like the $x per product model will work well. As the
> store continues to operate, I will continue with this model for now and
> gradually expand the products that have $x set aside as I figure out the
> right amounts.

My example for percentage was merely an example; the $x per product model is
of course good (or perhaps even better), that's more up to whoever runs the
store (you in case of store.g.o).

> These issues are really trustee issues that all trustees should be finding
> good solutions for, and then coordinating with me and others for feedback
> and suggestions. I would hope that they would be decided with concern for
> all parties involved. But I think it's the job of the trustees to start
> looking for solutions that work for the future and are also compatible with
> past arrangements.

That's what we're trying to do here :) I'm not proposing anything to be
executed right now - I don't mind having the GWN and main website to be used
this once for store.gentoo.org. If you'd mail us the text you want to see 
published we can easily work things out.

What I do hope is that we can create something for future reference (the
so-called "long run" :). First start with general ideas, brainstorm on 
what we (trustees) want to accomplish and how it can benefit you (and 
other stores). 

There are several ways to lay guidelines for this. I'm just brainstorming
out loud here, I hardly have any experience with these things, but we can
for instance:

- Give each "new" store a newsitem on www.g.o that announces the store, with
  it's intentions regarding Gentoo.
- Depending on what the Gentoo Foundation sees on advantages (this might not
  be revenues only, but also positive feedback from users,
  development-related contributions (such as documentation updates *g*),
  etc) allow that store to announce new things on www.g.o

Regarding the "official" status, the idea Paul proposed isn't purely
merchandise-related. When we receive e-mails (for instance on
www@g.o) regarding "where can I buy Gentoo CDs" it is in our (Gentoo
Foundation) best interest to be able to point the user to stores that we
know deliver their goods well.

We could call these stores "official" in a way that we both benefit. For
instance (once again, brainstorming out loud :) those stores can have
immediate access to release media even though they're still hidden on the
mirrors (the few days before the release) so they're able to deliver the new
release faster than other stores.

This is all for the long-run, we still have many jobs to complete before
anything of this is targeted (such as the copyright stuff, trademark stuff,
etc... the wheels of juridical tasks turn slow :). But imho it could provide
better information for the other community-related groups (think the German 
Gentoo eV) who might be thinking of firing up a store as well.

Wkr,
      Sven Vermeulen

-- 
  Documentation & PR project leader

  The Gentoo Project   <<< http://www.gentoo.org >>>