19 January 2003

Support Mandrake Linux or MandrakeSoft: The Case for Community Takeover Ben Reser makes a compelling case for a takeover of Mandrake Linux by the community we are all so proud of. His arguments are nothing but trivial: donating money to MandrakeSoft will not result in a more usable and better product and it will certainly not go to the pockets of all those develoers who voluntarily donate their labout pains to Mandrake Linux. Instead, all that money is most likely to go to MandrakeSoft's investors (such as Vivendi and other media conglomerates) and perhaps to some of the most privileged of their shareholders. Mandrakesoft apparently needs to raise 4 million Euros to avoid filling for Chapter 11. Its financial woes are not the result of decreasing market adoption and Resers reminds us that MandrakeSoft's profits show a steady increase per year for the last 3 years. Anyhow, MandrakeSoft had to bring a management team in to trasform the company into an e-learning outfit and it is this decision that is to be held primarily accountable for its financial troubles. Lets' cut to the case: Reser proposes that the community takes over. In his words: "So, Mandrake community, what is it that you will do? Will you pay to fix a company's management mistakes, or will you pay to produce and support a quality product? Will you pay for a vague promise of influence, or will you put your money and effort into an organization that will guarantee you a vote as part of its bylaws? Will you give charity to a commercial organization and its large shareholders, or charity to a non-profit organization? Will you pay for real value, or will you pay for the idea that you are supporting Linux? Will you risk the security of your personal information on their financial situation?" And he's probably right. I am neither a developer nor have I been a member of Mandrake Club so as to be in position of judging many of Reser's claims. But if he's right, and giving money to MandrakeSoft is not going to add any real value to any of the real stakeholders (developers, users and community), then a community takeover is the most sensible thing to do.    If you'd lile to get involved and have your opinion heard, drop Ben Reser a line. 6:47:30 PMSay it loud  []