[OSGeo-Discuss] Comment on OSGeo Project Marketing template before we set it in stone

[Arnulf Christl]

On Sun, 2010-06-06 at 08:59 +1000, Cameron Shorter wrote:
> Arnulf,
> I agree that we should only have one marketing template, which will 
> provide content for a pdf/paper flier, a HTML description for the OSGeo 
> LiveDVD, and an Open Office Text (odt) format, which can be cut&pasted 
> into various other uses, like System Integrators' marketing material.
> 
> The postgis template I put together is based upon the prior marketing 
> template. I'd like to think it to be an enhancement, or version 2 of the 
> template.
> 
> In particular, I've moved from the Open Office Presenter format to Open 
> Office Text format as it is harder to the key useful formats for users 
> (HTML, ODT and Word).
> 
> I also expect that we will get marketing material for every project that 
> is on the LiveDVD, which includes most of the OSGeo projects, as these 
> projects have already produced similar material for prior LiveDVD releases.
> 
> Jason,
> Note that the LiveDVD packages more than just OSGeo incubating and 
> graduated projects. As OSGeo support is only for OSGeo support projects, 
> that means there are some projects on the LiveDVD which are not included 
> in OSGeo Support.

Saying "OSGeo support" in the context of commercial activities might
suggest that OSGeo actually does provide this on its own - which is not
the case and not foreseeable. Restricting the "commercial support
corner" to flyers or info sheets for OSGeo projects only could also be
interpreted as a restriction which in my opinion is not something that
OSGeo would like to propose. So many details to consider... thanks for
moving this forward! 

Best regards, 
Arnulf. 

> 
> On 06/06/10 04:12, Jason Birch wrote:
> > Arnulf,
> >
> > Yes, I like both of those options.
> >
> > I think my initial reaction was because it implied that a project was
> > only supported by a single commercial entity, which isn't healthy. But
> > I can definitely see the need to meet the use cases you've outlined.
> >
> > It makes a lot of sense to encourage/enable local consultants to
> > modify the marketing material for their own use (hopefully without
> > destroying the brand: OSGeoJason). We need to support our commercial
> > efforts wherever possible.
> >
> > Providing a box at the bottom with some boilerplate for the SPD ("for
> > other commercial support options?") but making it clear that business
> > cards should be attached on top of it is a great way of supporting the
> > folks who are working the booths and developing local support for (and
> > businesses around) OSGeo.
> >
> > Cameron,
> >
> > If there are OSGeo projects that are not represented if the provider
> > directory, this needs to be fixed, probably with a Trac ticket. I like
> > the idea of a support.osgeo.org that allows you to choose the
> > "product" you need support for, and are then provided with links to
> > website, documentation, and a list of commercial support providers
> > which could be filtered by location. IMO, this would be better as a
> > separate app than trying to hack drupal. Any takers? :)
> >
> > I think using the existing templates makes a lot of sense. My main
> > recommendation for typography (and I'm as far from knowing what I'm
> > talking about as anyone) would be to pick a single face. As a
> > non-designer I try to keep the visual hierarchy as simple as possible,
> > using size and weight and staying away from colour, style, and white
> > space for defining importance. These can all used effectively, but are
> > easier to mess up too.
> >
> > Jason
> >
> > On 2010-06-05, Seven (aka Arnulf)<seven at arnulf.us>  wrote:
> >    
> >> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
> >> Hash: SHA1
> >>
> >> Cameron,
> >> this should be tied directly to the project overviews / info sheets [1]
> >> that are already available on the OSGeo website and "should" be
> >> maintained by the projcets themselves. Tyler has provided really nicely
> >> layouted templates to do just this. To me it does not make sense to make
> >> projects deliver several different version that need to be maintained
> >> and updated separately. It is hard enough to nudge, encourage and coerce
> >> folks to maintain one such artefact.
> >>
> >> We would need to check what to do with projects that have so far not
> >> shown any interest / do not plan to get involved more closely with OSGeo
> >> (yet). But I guess that a more neutral layout should be easy to glean
> >> from what is there already.
> >>
> >>
> >> Jason,
> >> some time back we envisaged a project template with a free space in the
> >> lower right corner. At conferences this can be used for some neutral
> >> OSGeo info or business cards for folks appearing at an OSGeo booth.
> >> Companies providing support can use these templates to add their logo /
> >> stamp / business card in the lower right corner.
> >>
> >> Sponsorship prospectus;
> >> We (so far Tyler, Jeff and me) try improve our sponsorship prospectus
> >> and we came up with a related idea to provide these flyer / brochure /
> >> info sheets as readily printed out marketing material as an asset for
> >> OSGeo sponsors. They can use shiny "original" OSGeo material for
> >> marketing and add their brand to it with very little effort. This is
> >> especially interesting for smaller companies who in general do not care
> >> / spend little time on creating marketing material. This would be a real
> >> net added value for them and would mean little extra effort for OSGeo.
> >>
> >> Would that be a type of commercial hint / support that goes better with
> >> your concerns?
> >>
> >> Best regards,
> >> Arnulf.
> >>
> >> [1] as examples: http://www.osgeo.org/mapserver
> >> http://www.osgeo.org/grass and so on
> >>
> >> Cameron Shorter wrote:
> >>      
> >>> For the OSGeo Live DVD that we are developing for FOSS4G 2010, we will
> >>> be asking all applications to provide a punchy, one page overview of
> >>> their project.
> >>>
> >>> This overview will conveniently double as Project Flier to hand out at
> >>> conference stands, and also be a page in a book of OSGeo projects.
> >>>
> >>> The aim of these overview pages is to have them be consistent, sexy, and
> >>> sell OSGeo in a positive, professional manner.
> >>>
> >>> To support this, I've created the attached pdf template. Please review
> >>> and provide feedback before we set the template in stone, and ask all
> >>> projects to create material against this template.
> >>>
> >>> Template source:
> >>> https://svn.osgeo.org/osgeo/livedvd/gisvm/trunk/doc/descriptions/postgis_overview.odt
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> Marketing artefact definition:
> >>> http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Marketing_Artefacts#Application_Overview
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >>>
> >>> _______________________________________________
> >>> Discuss mailing list
> >>> Discuss at lists.osgeo.org
> >>> http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
> >>>        
> >>
> >> - --
> >> Arnulf Christl
> >>
> >> Exploring Space, Time and Mind
> >> http://arnulf.us
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> >> Discuss at lists.osgeo.org
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> >>
> >>      
> > _______________________________________________
> > Discuss mailing list
> > Discuss at lists.osgeo.org
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> >    
> 
> 

-- 
Arnulf Christl

Exploring Space, Time and Mind
http://arnulf.us