swag != freeware
By SVAKSHA on 2007 November 17 [Saturday], 18:50:00 - EVENTS - Permalink
My last post for sticker sponsors, was solved within a few hours but there was a problem with Sulamita's server and I could not blog about it. Thanks Atul (our sticker sponsor) !! I have to agree with Pradeepto that swag does not come free, and just like FreeSoftware (even if given away free, the developer's time costs money in terms of time and resources, hence lost earnings) someone somewhere has footed the bill for it.
I remember Sulamita saying the LC-Brazil tees were so popular that they got over in a flash and Runa mentioned that there was demand for LC-India Tees too. For company sponsored events its easy to get corporate sponsors but in the floss world most of the volunteers shoulder the hardwork, organising, fund-raising (sometimes its personal funds), to keep the flame burning.
While its great to get a free sticker or Tee, when you attend Foss.in please remember to ask the volunteer who hands out a sticker or Tee if you can donate/contribute to the project instead. Won't you feel nice knowing you/your girlfriend/fiance/wife/sister is not wearing a tee paid for by Pradeepto /Runa /Ananth /Sharan /....add contributor name.., think about it...!!
Comments
If LC-India T-shirts are made, and it is not ladies-only, I'd like to get one too.
I won't be able to attend personally, but I'll ask Debarshi to pick
up one for me.
Hi Svaksha,
There is a saying that 'There's no such thing as a free lunch'. And for Free Software advocacy like conferences, booths or swag, there is someone paying for it, be it individuals or corporate sponsors. One thing of which you should be aware is the act of receiving payment for not-for-profit efforts. You may ask for a 'donation' but not a payment, at least that has happened here in the US but IANAL, so check about laws in your jurisdiction. You should certainly not be ashamed of saying that an effort is not corporate-sponsored and that folks should not take more than they need. At one event, there were CD to give away and there was a decision to suggest a 1 dollar donation because if you say 'FREE', they would be gone in 1 second whereas if we suggest at least a minimum payment, folks would consider more carefully if they needed and wanted them.
ps.
love those foss.in poster that kartik blogged about.
@ Soumyadip, even if its ladies only, you can get one for your better half this time
In 2008 with more time to plan, hopefully things will be different
!
@ Kevin Mark, that word is so misleading, misused and abused in today\'s marketing jargon that people hate to be told that \"free\" stuff still costs in terms of time, effort, thought, resources, etc... which is not always quantifiable in terms of cold cash, hence freedom is priceless. In India its a headache to register non-profits, besides which the main LC.org has also not registered itself, so we still have to figure out stuff ...
Hey, this is tazz from #l-i, i would like to pool in some money to this cause too.
uh, I probably can't convince my Mom to wear a T-shirt, and I don't have a girlfriend. But no worries, I'll look forward to attending FOSS.n in 2008 _and_ getting a LC-India T-shirt for myself