Re: [Fsfe-uk] Membership

[Richard Smedley]

On Thu, 2003-05-22 at 23:29, MJ Ray wrote:
> Ramanan Selvaratnam <address@hidden> wrote:
> > If we were to build up an  electronic system to scale for the many 
> > number of users Ian is talking about then a lot of  new possibilities 
> > can be explored.
> 
> My opinion is that it would have to be entirely automated.  I'd suggest
> that the option to publish the details is the "fee" that we ask from these
> supporters.  What do you think?  This then could give us the directory that
> Ian suggests.

A membership directory would be incredibly useful - we 
did this in the Landscape&Art Network, which put landscape
architects in touch with artists working in the landscape.

We should decide the sort of data that would be most useful
(skills, case studies available, checkbox for `yes, I'm happy
to talk to the press about my school's/business's use of
free software', and so on). This could be gathered 
automagically from the (suitably upgraded) membership form.

We could even make it available in dead-tree format, perhaps
as part of a `Free Software Annual report', distributed at
trade shows, and to govt, et al.?

 - Richard

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Richard Smedley
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