Greetings fellow bugtrackers,

I have always enjoyed the nature of this list, and it is with the deepest 
regret that I must post what I believe to be a seminal problem.  Before I 
post this issue I would review some of the advantages of Ubuntu Linux.

1. It is very easy to install,
2. It is very flexible and customizable,
3. Cost of ownership and support is reasonable.

Many more advantages exist, so I thought to study this product, become 
expert with it, and support myself by supporting this product.

After 4 years in this activity I am now destitute, and unable to make my 
financial obligations.

In my desperation to make Ubuntu work, I considered the U.S. Federal 
market, which, while a small market now, could if properly supported 
sustain me, my family and maybe others.  The following proposal was sent, 
last month for the third time.


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From <email address hidden> Sat Aug 23 06:43:31 2008
Date: Sat, 23 Aug 2008 06:43:31 -0400 (EDT)
From: <email address hidden>
To: Mark Shuttleworth <email address hidden>, <email address hidden>
Cc: <email address hidden>, "<email address hidden>" <email address hidden>, Matt Zimmerman <email address hidden>
Subject: Ubuntu U.S. Federal Marketing Project

Dear Mark,

First, let me welcome Andrew Roadway to this discussion.  Matt Zimmerman
informs me that Andrew is the Canonical  Director of Marketing, and I
presume, would be the lead in this or any other marketing proposal.

In the past few months I have discussed with many of you the possibility of
establishing a U.S. Federal Marketing force for the purpose of vending
Ubuntu to U.S. Government (USG) agencies.  I believe that the features of
such an organization would be as follows:

All USG organizations must adhere to the Federal Acquisition Regulations.
This requires that USG sites purchase software support licensees.  This
requirement specifically includes Free and Open Source (FOS) products.  A
designated agency of the U.S. Government called the General Services
Administration (GSA) strictly governs USG purchasing activity.  GSA
regulations, under certain conditions, give preferential treatment to U.S.
Owned Businesses, Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDB) and Veteran Owned
Businesses.  The Buy American and Small Disadvantaged Veterans Owned
Business preferences are where I would like to base a proposal.

I believe, that with the cooperation and exclusive endorsement of the
Canonical Corporation, distribution to the U.S. Federal Government, while a
rare occurrence now, is ripe for long term profit.

WHAT WE INTEND TO DO:
Establish a Small Disadvantaged Veteran Owned Business (SDVOB) with a GSA
schedule for purchase of Canonical Support Licensees.  We expect to deliver
a profit margin of eighty (80) percent of this income stream back to
Canonical.

Equip an office with U.S. nationals and Veterans trained at the Canonical
Montreal facility to offer Buy American Act compliant support service.

WHAT WE NEED TO PROCEED:
We need to establish a marketing agreement with Canonical.  This would need
to include a time period during which this enterprise would enjoy exclusive
U.S. Government marketing rights.  I am convinced with this agreement in
place, no other resources would be required to make this a profitable
project.

WHAT TO EXPECT:
The Administration changes set to occur in Washington in 150 days will open
doors to a wider range of operating software systems being deployed by
disparate Federal
  agencies. A new Administration invariably creates a climate where there is
greater receptivity to innovative products.  As the Federal Agency workforce
turnover increases, particularly in IT divisions, now is the time to market
the "superior alternative" of the Ubuntu product. Simply put, with proper
GSA compliant support contracts available, the new generation of IT
professionals inside the Beltway will embrace and deploy open source
operating systems, particularly Ubuntu.  Being positioned by a sales agent
for U.S. Federal sales at this time costs Canonical nothing, and in the
future can lead to considerable profit.

I have established a private wiki at http://docbox.flint.com:8081/uusg to
continue work on this idea.  You will find this proposal posted there along
with the latest developments as they occur.  I look forward to our
collective mutual gain, the opportunity to do well by doing good, and I
thank you for your time.


Kindest Regards,


Paul Flint



/************************************
Based upon email reliability concerns,
please send an acknowledgment in response to this note.

Paul Flint
Barre Open Systems Institute
17 Averill Street
Barre, VT
05641

http://www.bosivt.org
http://www.flint.com/home
skype: flintinfotech
Work: (202) 537-0480
  Fax: (703) 852-7089

Consilium
gratuitum        .~.
valet            /V\
quanti          /( )\
numerantur      ^^-^^


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I have never received a response to this business proposal from anyone at 
Cannonical.  The sadest thing here is that I really believe that Ubuntu 
Linux will succeed, I just wanted to be a boat rising in this tide.

Needless to say, that lack of dedicated marketing to large governmental 
organizations could be a problem, I know not.  Mostly I worry about how I 
am going to heat, eat and pay the mortage.

So...

If there is anyone out there that needs remote adminstration, consulting, 
or development services, I would be happy to assist for reasonable 
compensation, after 4 long years of trying I know there is no Linux work 
for me here in Vermont, America is in economic meltdown, and I am now deep 
in debt.

Please find my resume at:
http://www.flint.com/flint


Thanks in advance and...

Kindest Regards,


Paul Flint



/************************************
Based upon email reliability concerns,
please send an acknowledgment in response to this note.

Paul Flint
Barre Open Systems Institute
17 Averill Street
Barre, VT
05641

http://www.bosivt.org
http://www.flint.com/home
skype: flintinfotech
Work: (202) 537-0480
  Fax: (703) 852-7089

Consilium
gratuitum        .~.
valet            /V\
quanti          /( )\
numerantur      ^^-^^