Changes

The current consensus is that though there are plenty of things that we would like to be added to v9 the best thing is to get it out of the door, and then develop new ideas for a v9.1 e.g. LDAP, SAMBA, VPS etc.

The current consensus is that though there are plenty of things that we would like to be added to v9 the best thing is to get it out of the door, and then develop new ideas for a v9.1 e.g. LDAP, SAMBA, VPS etc.

==== Need to increase funding ====

==== Need to increase funding ====

Site costs - all donations go there today, and it is not enough. Shad has been open and provided what numbers he can.

Site costs - all donations go there today, and it is not enough. Shad has been open and provided what numbers he can.

Development money for Charlie,

* Development money for Charlie and Shad

 

* If we generate funds then there will be a need to account for them and means accountants and lawyers

Development money for Shad<br />

If we generate funds then there will be a need to account for them and means accountants and lawyers

Traditionally SME has been developer led, but it also needs a firm financial footing to help fund current and future costs. No money, no honey as they say.

Traditionally SME has been developer led, but it also needs a firm financial footing to help fund current and future costs. No money, no honey as they say.

'''Current status''' : Dire. Shad has already reported that average income is only a couple of hundred dollars a month and that just about meets his hosting costs.

'''Current status''' : Shad has already reported that average income is only a couple of hundred dollars a month and that just about meets his hosting costs.

There are suggestions on how to monetise SME whilst still retaining its Open Source tradition. The first thing that springs to mind is some form of advertising on the web site. The current site, though a great resource for SME, does  not really sell the product. In the first instance it looks old, and there is a lot of material that is very old and needs bringing up to date – there is work on going already in that department.

There are suggestions on how to monetise SME whilst still retaining its Open Source tradition. The first thing that springs to mind is some form of advertising on the web site. The current site, though a great resource for SME, does  not really sell the product. In the first instance it looks old, and there is a lot of material that is very old and needs bringing up to date – there is work on going already in that department.

There are a number of people looking at ideas on how to get greater visibility, more users, and attract potential sponsors or advertisers. We need to have a product in which people see a future, and a concept they can buy in to.

There are a number of people looking at ideas on how to get greater visibility, more users, and attract potential sponsors or advertisers. We need to have a product in which people see a future, and a concept they can buy in to.

There are a small group looking at the whole marketing aspect of SME including redevelopment of the front page. There have been a variety of suggestion that are being looked at :

There is a small group looking at the whole marketing aspect of SME including redevelopment of the front page. A variety of suggestions is being looked at, including :

 

* Revitalize/redesign the website

* Revitalize/redesign the website

* Make it sexy

* Make it sexy

Raising income levels is a major task, and very important. How we do it is an area we need to discuss further.

Raising income levels is a major task, and very important. How we do it is an area we need to discuss further.

==== Manpower ====

==== Manpower ====

We also needs a project that has a future and that will attract new developers

We also needs a project that has a future and that will attract new developers

== Need for some form of organisation ==

== Need for some form of organisation ==

Whether we like it or not, we need to have some form of organisation. Without it the project will be like a headless chicken.

Whether we like it or not, we need to have some form of organisation. Without it the project will be like a headless chicken.

===== Current SME v8 mainline packages =====

===== Current SME v8 mainline packages =====

Developers as above

Developers as above

===== Contributed packages =====

===== Contributed packages =====

Package maintainers (could do with some feedback in this area !)

Package maintainers (could do with some feedback in this area !)

* Brian Read (mailstats package)

* Brian Read (mailstats package)

===== Old packages =====

===== Old packages =====

* Jean-Philippe PIALASSE

* Jean-Philippe PIALASSE

===== Wiki & Docs =====

===== Wiki & Docs =====

* Stéphane de Labrusse

* Stéphane de Labrusse

* Brian Read

* Brian Read

===== Forums =====

===== Forums =====

Bearing in mind many don’t know much about, or don’t want to use mailing lists in the first instance, it is a good place to announce things and keep people up to date as well.

Bearing in mind many don’t know much about, or don’t want to use mailing lists in the first instance, it is a good place to announce things and keep people up to date as well.

==== Media, Marketing, Legal & Finance ====

==== Media, Marketing, Legal & Finance ====