Tom -- I am not a small business owner, but I do run a site for my family non-profit (www.StoneSpring.org), and would like to host this on a Debian machine. It's currently on an ISP (Verio) site. I am new to Debian, having done not much since installing 1.3 on an Intel server last November and using it as my client. I am not knowledgeable about installing various items which I need before I can get it going as my ISP replacement host machine. Specifically, I need to:
Set up static IP (I have one allocated to me already) Set up 2-way ISDN (I have a line set up) or 2-way analog access... meaning when a packet needs to come to my machine, the ISP will do automatic call-setup I've often thought of requesting assistance, and am even willing to pay reasonable rates, but haven't found the right forum. So, I think you have a point. People needs resources to turn to when they want more than just incidental help from the generous Debian community; I'm not expecting to get free advice to help me on a somewhat non-trivial and possibly continuing basis Anyone out there able to help me? I am very impressed with the Debian and Linux communities (and have made my donation to the Debian organization). Just a few other things (necessarily involving "marketing") would do great things for the growth and acceptance of Debian. Sincerely -- Samuel Hahn On Friday, October 02, 1998 7:06 AM, Tom [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > I am thinking that Debian should consider taking some steps to increase > its commercial presence by becoming more attractive to small > entrepreneurial business owners with low to moderate technical skills. > The reasons for this is to provide an increased source of funding for > Debian expansion. Lets consider some ideas. > > 1. Debian could maintain a list of consultants and technical workers who > can and will support commercial Debian sites. (Perhaps at a > discount.) > 2. An off the shelf business development kit could be developed for web > based businesses. Specifically I mean create some web page templets, > some database templets, and, some spreadsheet templets. Then stitch them > together with some interactive front-end that creates a small web > based business. Just automate some of the process. Im not talking > creating a multinational just something simple. Joe wants to try > selling bowling balls on the net. There are plenty of applications > which will help him to do this. Just sew them together in a way that > makes it easier for a non or only slightly technical person to do it. > This also might appeal to web hosters as service to provide. > > These two ideas are aimed directly at people who will use Debian to make > money. Therefore I see nothing wrong with asking for some of it. > Asking not demanding or requiring. > We should remember that although the volunteer structure of Debian is a > wonderful thing certain facts remain. Advertising costs money, and so > do many of the other things that will allow Debian to grow and continue > to be a major Linux distribution I am not wedded to the ideas above, > but I do think expanding the reliable capital base can not but help > Debian in the long term. > Any opinions? > > Tom > >
