Who Should Help LinuxFund Distribute $126,155.29? 380
Roblimo writes "The LinuxFund Web site was down for several months, and the project has essentially been out of business since last year. But MBNA kept the LinuxFund MasterCard going, and kept depositing money in LinuxFund's account -- to the tune of $126,155.29 when NewsForge reporter Jay Lyman finally caught up with the current and former project leaders and found out what was going on -- namely nothing. So does anyone have an idea what to do with this money? Want to suggest an individual or group to take over LinuxFund and run it right?"
Problems With Undirected Charity (Score:3, Insightful)
Perhaps the money could be used to set up a trust for a scholarship fund. If the trust was set up properly, with the appropriate oversight, it could be a perpetual source of fund for students entering the computer science field.
Now who wants more computer scientists?
Anyone?
Re:Problems With Undirected Charity (Score:5, Insightful)
Sounds like a lot came from a Credit Card affinity program. Giving it back isn't really a reasonable alternative, since the costs to service could quickly surmount the cost being refunded. Perhaps the money could be used to set up a trust for a scholarship fund.
Using the money for a purpose other than the one the fund was set up for is borderline criminal. Whatever the Linux Fund's intent was, that intent should be caried out by whomever takes over.
Re:Problems With Undirected Charity (Score:5, Insightful)
Cripes, I would do it myself, but I think one of the existing non-profits would be better for this sort of thing.
Re:Problems With Undirected Charity (Score:2)
Re:Problems With Undirected Charity (Score:3, Funny)
As an actual LinuxFund card holder, I can comment on where the money should go. Give it to some Linux related project.
Holy Shit! That's BRILLIANT!!!! Thank God we had an actual LinuxFund card holder on hand to come up with this incredible plan!
Re:Problems With Undirected Charity (Score:5, Insightful)
A part of the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws or other organizing instrument of any organization should include what will be done with any assets at such time as the organization is disolved. This is actually a requirement if you want the IRS to recognize you as a non-profit, precisely to avoid having to make that decision after-the-fact. I happen to run a non-profit org, and while what we do has nothing to with activities normally carried out by the American Red Cross, in the event our non-profit must be dissolved all of the assets get donated to them.
If Linuxfund was set up properly, deciding what to do with the money should be as simple as consulting the articles of incorporation or bylws for the organization.
If not, well, the people who donated the money should have taken greater care in selecting the organization they gave it to.
Re:Problems With Undirected Charity (Score:3, Interesting)
Bounties for non-Corporate functions? (Score:2)
Once a list of desired functionality/usability is drawn up and prioritised, geeks could assess the complexity level and through another community based system agree on a suitable bounty for it to be done.
Bounties should only ever be allocated out of the money that is there... ne
Re:Bounties for non-Corporate functions? (Score:2)
That has certainly been suggested frequently on
As noted before, however, there are legal issues to rangle with when using the money for purposes other than those originally intended.
Re:Bounties for non-Corporate functions? (Score:2)
Re:Problems With Undirected Charity (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:We could get (Score:4, Funny)
180 SCO licenses for that money...
At the going-out-of-business sale, that covers the 29 cents. Now what about the other $126,155?
A few thoughts (Score:5, Insightful)
IHMO, the best organization for something like this is for LinuxFunds to be an administrative entity only. Proposals for Open Source software and funding requirements could then be submitted to the project for review and potential approval. Selected OSS projects would receive the funding they requested according to the payment schedule that was approved. This payment schedule would allow LinuxFunds to track the progress of a given project, and make adjustments as necessary. (Potentially even cutting off funding if the project is not viable.)
Such an organization would require only a few knowledgable employees to make the decisions and administrate the funds. With funds transfers being what they are today, much of the grunt work (transfer, accounting, etc.) could be done automatically. Since this is a publicly supported organization, it should publish a detailed accounting of its usage of the money.
To put things in perspective, the current funds of $126k work out to about 5,250 man hours of work at ~$24/hr (~$50,000/yr).
That's my thoughts anyway.
Re:A few thoughts (Score:2)
Oh, at least. (Score:3, Interesting)
Actually, if you had two programmers working full-time on nothing more than using code validators to find bugs, then submitting patches to those bugs, you'd get a lot of work done in a year. Easily enough to justify the cost to any corporate backer. There are plenty of code validators out there, and the coders could simply target whatever package
Re:A few thoughts (Score:2)
Re:A few thoughts (Score:4, Informative)
They were using these funds to provide grants to the free software community. They have had "interns" which work on individual open-source projects, but mostly they offered grants and microgrants to OSS developers who needed funding to work on a specific project. For example Software Suspend recieved some funding as well as XIPH.ORG. They've also sponsorsed community organizations such as CodeCon [codecon.org] and the Southern California Linux Expo [socallinuxexpo.org] when they were first starting out.
According to public records they were bring in revenues between $100K to $200K per year at their high point. Its definately a viable model for funding open-source projects it just looks like its in need of volunteer support.
Re:A few thoughts (Score:2)
This really is a good idea. The government gives out quite a bit of funds, but usually only for projects that meet military, community development, or pork projects required by congress.
According to public records they were bring in revenues between $
Re:A few thoughts (Score:2)
I actually have one of these cards. Its a cute Tux penguin on a mastercard. I got it because it had Tux on it and it was supposed to fund Linux development in some way, but I was never clear on the details. I rarely ever use that card anymore after MBNA (the backing bank) pissed me off. They had the nerve to try and convince me that they could incur interest in a balance that was greater than any given balance on any given day for that whole billing period. I called them and they could not explain the
Tux MasterCard (Score:2)
It's my primary credit card, so even if they're donating a small fraction of the total, I figure I've probably kicked in a couple of hundred over the years. I'd have just blown it on gin, so they might as well have it.
Re:A few thoughts (Score:2)
The people would need enough techincal background to tell when someone's blowing smoke, and enough legal/finacial background to actually handle the money.
So: Suggestions? I'd nomiate myself, but no-one would take me seriously.
Linus is probably too busy. Stallman, too political.
Re:A few thoughts (Score:2)
Volunteers are a *bad* idea for core operations. What you need is one or two full time administrators (with full time pay!) who can manage the funds. They would be responsible for setting goals for the funds, placing submitted proposals out for public review, and then making a final decision on whether a proposal will receive funding or not. During t
Re:A few thoughts (Score:2)
Of course, it is possible that acutally having people run the fund will enable it to grow faster.
Whether this should be volunteers or ful
Debian? Fedora? Gentoo? (Score:2)
You can count on me (Score:3, Funny)
obFSF (Score:5, Insightful)
~Rebecca
Re:obFSF (Score:2)
Me, I'm thinking this dilemma just cries out for a reality show...
Agreed... FSF. (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Agreed... FSF. (Score:3, Informative)
* Scarface: A 3D GTA Game
* Kavlon Coloring Book
Which would you rather have, a coloring book or NeoOffice/J? My vote goes to NeoOffice/J.
Re:Agreed... FSF. (Score:2)
Re:Agreed... FSF. (Score:3, Insightful)
No, mod the grandparent down.
The question is "Who should handle the funds, not who should recieve them."
The best option for handling them is someone who is financially secure, has the proper legal ability to act as trustee, and no personal interest in their own project over another.
~Rebecca
Re:Agreed... FSF. (Score:2)
Obviously, I should receive them. But maybe I should disburse them too, that way we can cut out the middleman.
The best option for handling them is someone who is financially secure, has the proper legal ability to act as trustee, and no personal interest in their own project over another.
I guarantee I have no interest in placing one project over another. All come a distant second to my relocation to Bali project.
Re:obFSF (Score:2)
Re:obFSF (Score:2, Insightful)
Obvious (Score:4, Funny)
Missing change (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Missing change (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Missing change (Score:4, Funny)
Exiled Nigerian Royalty are firing up their email. (Score:2)
What a clusterfvck (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:What a clusterfvck (Score:2)
Yeah, that's about par for a small non-profit. Small non-profits are really run by people who believe in what they are doing strongly enough to work very, very hard for very little financial return. Get into larger ones in terms of revenue, and payroll tends to increase, but usually no where near comparable to what you can make in the private sector.
As for what should be done with it? Money donated f
Re:What a clusterfvck (Score:2)
Re:What a clusterfvck (Score:2)
I suspect these folks perhaps started the fund with the best of intentions, but also with the assumption that they'd be able to make it their day jobs; if you go in with that kind of view, you're bound to be disa
Re:What a clusterfvck (Score:2)
$28K per year? Sounds about like a schoolteacher's salary. And you know how lackluster and unskilled they are. Not to mention how quickly they burn out. I mean, sheesh, can't they drum up enough funds for someone as brilliant and skilled as a $100K per year IT department manager. Then you'd see things happening.
[/sarcasm]
Re:What a clusterfvck (Score:2)
Re:What a clusterfvck (Score:3, Insightful)
Heck, I have a business degree AND I'm a geek. I'd be happy to administer the thing; 100K can make 5k to 10k per year in capital gains and interest. That would be a nice little grant for a couple of open source projects per year. I think that's much better than handing out the money in one swoop and then it's gone.
Licenses (Score:2, Funny)
Something useful (Score:2)
could be spent doing up X, KDE or Gnome, pay people to check security (and fix) in popular software such as openssh, linux kernel, etc.
spend it on software development
Ask Paul Vixie to run it (Score:3, Interesting)
He's not afraid to make controversial decisions and stand behind them (something one is going to need when one decides to donate to Project X and not to Project Y).
Re: (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Ask Paul Vixie to run it (Score:2)
Obviously, decide this via a Slashdot poll! (Score:3, Funny)
Crow T. Trollbot
Re:Obviously, decide this via a Slashdot poll! (Score:2)
*Florida voters will not be counted (again).
A new bounty? (Score:2, Interesting)
$126,155.29 (Score:5, Funny)
I have $126,155.29 of unused donations that I cannot access. Please give me your bank account number and all of your other personal information, and i will deposit the enitre amount in your account. Once it is received, all i ask is that you send me back 50%, leaving 50% for your troubles. Thanks.
Re:$126,155.29 (Score:4, Funny)
Try misspelling a few words, that should do the trick.
he Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation? (Score:2)
anyboy remember the tarbaby fable?
OpenOffice.org (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:OpenOffice.org (Score:2)
http://incubator.apache.org/projects/harmony.html [apache.org]
an idea (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
FSF (Score:2)
Hmm (Score:2)
I'd prefer development (Score:2)
I'd prefer they use it for development. Most linux hackers are paid these days (By IBM, redhat, and so on), as are the openOffice.org hackers (by sun). However there are plenty of projects that can't claim that.
Better to hire a contractor for 6 months of working on one project, and then let the money build for another year before hiring another. There are good programmers who can take a 6 month contract for some project, and do a lot of good work. I know of at least one person who has done this[1]
Re:Hmm (Score:2)
Give it to Google (Score:5, Interesting)
You can reasonable expect that they will distribute it with ethics rather than dip into it in expenses. If you appointed any other (read poor/legal/accountancy) administrator you would risk it being eaten in expenses.
Personally, I'd like to see Linux date and time libraries improved. I'd like to be able to convert from arbitrary time zone to arbitrary time zone, down to the nano second from any reasonable year up to 99999 AD.
Go spend it on that, even Windows time libraries don't handle this correctly (they don't handle day light saving properly) and its something I miss for a server.
Better yet, ask Stallman to do it (Score:2)
2) He's always right
and most importantly:
3) He's always right
[Stallman Defenders: Learn how to take a joke, ok?]
Re:Better yet, ask Stallman to do it (Score:2)
Stallman and his the Gnu/boy Wonder
Nanannananann Stallman
Nananannananana Stallman
Stallman Stallman Stallman zzzap Kapow Kerplung Pong...
Seriously though , Stallman may have a few good ideas on how to spend some of it . Despite his failings he genunily has alot of good ideas
SLASHDOT POLL! (Score:3, Funny)
Oh and you can put my name instead of the CowboyNeal option.
Advertising (Score:2)
Would this be a Good Deal for Open Source? (Score:2)
How much does the fund see? For most charity cards, you could get more bang for your buck if you get a 1-3% cashback card & just donate that to open source developers you want to support. Even IF the fund were under better management, is this something to be encouraged. I wo
Sustainability (Score:2, Insightful)
I see this all the time in my industry -- people want to spend one-time funds on ongoing projects. As
Re:Sustainability (Score:2)
True, but there are many projects that need 6 months or a year to get over a major hurdle. KDE need some people to work on the qt4 port now. There are many other projects with good ideas, but they are ideas that are complex enough that the programmer needs to be working full time on it to make meaningful progress.
Give it to the Human Fund (Score:4, Funny)
Linux credit card? (Score:2)
1)Drive my new Bentley.
2)Sail my ne
Buy source code! (Score:2, Funny)
Donate it to the Save the Wallet Foundation. (Score:2)
(You know the SLASHDOT MASTERCARD is just around the corner.
Race 6 (Score:2)
Hi im a Nigerian Linux fund (Score:2)
Due to recent strife i have been unable to help get my money out of the country,
As a result of my present situation as a refugee who cannot
have access to own an account or accounts,I am looking for a trustworthy
individual
to provide account(s)where the funds will be lodge into,more also we are
at the interim interested in buying linux projects.
I strongly believe that associating with you to emback on this and o
Patents, patents, patents... (Score:2)
Re:Patents, patents, patents... (Score:2)
Well... (Score:2)
Re:Well... (Score:2)
Re:Well... (Score:2)
"10k for winner"
"5k for runner up"
place 8 projects using that format. have slashdot or sourceforge or where ever vote on the favorite.
linuxfund card? (Score:2)
Linux Fund College Interns... (Score:2)
Phishing? (Score:2)
two ideas (Score:2)
2. Fund 1-2 kernel or interface developers for a years full time work. Dole it out as a monthly salary so that the fund can cut it's losses if the relationship goes sour.
Are we the right people to ask? (Score:2)
How about MBNA take upon itself to contact those that have its card and ask them? It can't be the first time a non-governmental entity using this as a fundraising technique goes belly-up, there has got to be a process for this.
Although I'm sure Linus and other Linux coders would have some moral authority, I wonder who has the legal authority in this matter...
FSF or Eff (Score:2)
Office Software... (Score:2)
One person year to work on Kolab or Open Exchange (or another) simplify the installation of these products...
Imagine what that would do for all of open source????
Cheers,
-D
Shuttlworth Foundation Bounty Fund (Score:2)
Is this even legal? (Score:2)
Is this a legally setup non profit organization? Is taxes Federal or otherwise being paid on this money? Seems like somebody ought to be heading to a jail cell to me.
Give it back (Score:2, Informative)
I have one of these MBNA LinuxFund MasterCards.
Through my dealings with MBNA, I've decided they're one of the smarmiest credit card companies one can do business with.
It started as a fixed-rate card at an excellent interest rate. (With a one-year 0% balance-transfer rate to boot.) After a year, they switched it to a variable-rate account. The rate was still good, so I decided to keep it.
Every two months after that, they would sneak in a change in terms to the account. They would print this on a
Idea? (Score:2)
The LinuxFund (Score:2)
User
Give a few grand to me! (Score:2)
419 it obviously (Score:3, Funny)
I am Mr Lyman from Linux Credit Card. Recently the business was closed due to an unfortunate incident, leaving 126,000 (ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY SIX THOUSAND) US DOLLAR in the account.
I cannot get these funds to their ritghful owners as I am listed as the official company solicitor. Therefore I need a trusted associate with Western Union Credit transfer to do it for me.
If you do this small job for me you will be able to keep half (SIXTY-THREE THOUSAND) US DOLLAR in your bank account.
For your security I need to set up the right bank transfer in your name. Please send me your local bank detail in Lagos right away plus a Western Union Bank money transfer of 500.00 US DOLLAR to cover my costs. I cannot be seen to pay the costs myself you understand as it would appear on the accounts.
God be with you and peace my brother.
My Lyman
New York, USA.
Re:No need (Score:2)
They did it only for about a year, then I noticed some fine print at the bottom of a recent bill that said, "We are no longer participating in our arrangement with your organization". When I called to ask what that meant (already knowing the answer) they said they were dropping the payouts.
I dropped the card.
Re:Google summer of code runner up (Score:2)
Sourceforge, while having many issues, does make it easy to see which projects that has activity.
See this link for activity ranking: http://sourceforge.net/top/mostactive.php?type=we e k [sourceforge.net]
There is also a system to advertise for programmers. http://sourceforge.net/people/ [sourceforge.net]
I'd say that the grand parent is, however fun and however nice the thought is, is misdirected energy.
Help make SourceForge better instead.
You say that you are unsure how to get