Linux
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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There's nothing wrong with volunteering with a FOSS project
Framework is not a FOSS project, it's not a charity or a non-profit organization, it's a company. Would you volunteer to work for free at your job?
I do volunteer for open hardware projects, yes.
That's hardware.
Its both. And there's nothing wrong with volunteering for it
I wouldn't blame a volunteer but I think its wrong for for-profit companies to ask for non remunerated work
There's nothing wrong with them asking
There is something wrong if they make demands
I thought that there was no way this was unpaid and that the ambassadors would get Framework tech. Nope. You have to already own it. Doesn’t even seem like it comes with a discount even?
I am a product “ambassador” for several things in the gaming world. I get access to new things earlier and at a discounted rate. I get free promotional items that actually have some value. I sometimes get a per diem if I do certain events. I feel valued. I don’t get that vibe at all from this.
They are specifically searching for volunteers. So it makes sense that they are searching for an owner and active user of their product instead of a random person that may or may not understand their product value. If you are requiring payment to be their ambassador then you are working for them not volunteering.
You’ve done a great job summarizing the bad things they’re doing!
I don't know man. If I have a framework laptop AND I regularly attend computer events of some sort, the framework ambassador programs do not sound all that different than the usual but you got free merch. That is the people they are targeting. You can even say their fanboy or whatever equivalent.
Ultimately, framework knows there are people that are actively using their products, attending events and love to talk about their products. This can be seen in another way of framework giving those people free merch for their free marketing that they always do anyway.
I agree that it can be viewed that way. I wish they would have worded it accordingly.
„We would like to award i our die hard fans with free merch through our ambassador programme. Please email us if you: 1. own a framework device, 2. regularly attend conferences, 3. like to talk about framework to new people. In this case you‘re eligible for our ambassador programme and to free merch and other cool stuff.“
In harsh opposition to searching for people working for free for a (albeit good meaning I suppose) for profit company.
And how much do these products you're an ambassador of cost?
And are these new start-ups, or mega-companies?
Game promos are usually expensive long-term because they’re produced in limited batches.
Most board game companies run off Kickstarter. Your distinction doesn’t really apply because it’s not normal to get external funding. Framework just hit their Series A which, usually, includes money for marketing and running in the red. Board game companies usually can’t run in the red.
You're comparing board game companies with a laptop manufacturing company, right?
A company manufacturing a laptop like the Framework laptop is not just sourcing parts and assembling them together. There's a LOT of work put in it, way more than some board game.
Their laptop costs in the thousands, and given their (so far) niche market, I can see why it isn't feasible for them to give away these expensive to manufacture machines to community ambassadors.
That explanation runs counter to my experience with VC-funded companies, marketing budgets, and running in the red in general. Trying to hit as much of the total addressable market as possible means burning money. Notice how I expanded and included discounts? You don’t even get a 5% off code. Framework is making a profit so they can lose margin on a low percentage (if they’re not making a profit then there’s no reason to not throw away more to get closer to TAM anyway).
Board games run in the thousands for some of the bigger ticket items. I’m not sure you understand either market. I regularly crowdfund packages that are more than at least 25% of the Framework prices I’m skimming now.
Thanks for the insight.
From my read, this is not even for marketing, but mainly for feedback to improve framework products. Framework will also have merch packages for the ambassador.
These ambassadors would attend linux conferences anyways, framework just want them to communicate to frameworks when anyone have any feedback.
I am okay with this.
Oh nice!
Then it's really just a bad name. Volunteer ambassador implies a lot of other responsibilities.
Other industries call it like VIP or Insiders Club. And their responsibilities for being a part of it is to also share the excitement of the product.
They could've worded it better, and make it clearer in the first couple of sentences that this is intended for owners of FWs who already go to these events.
I had bigger issues with, say, Ubisoft and JGL getting artist to work for exposure on Beyond Good and Evil 2 back when that was a thing.
But I also 100% that it feels like asking for free labour, intended or not.
Ehh I don't have any beef with this. The best parts of Linux are about unpaid community labor.
Replaceable parts is a good thing. They don't perform well for the price. I considered getting a couple for work, but perf and the 3:2 screen are just a no go.
The best parts of Linux involve unpaid community labor, yes, but framework laptop is a for-profit product, so I wouldn't think it applies here.
Its an open-source product, through. You could make your own laptop with their designs
I agree, but in the other Hand, everyone at framework is just a huge nerd. They all worked as engineers in big other companies before and decided its time for a change. So for me it does not really feel like profit is their sole number one priority. And like the team diacribes quite well in the comments of the post, they are just enthusiastic and want to enable motivated lads to work more closely with the developer team
So for me it does not really feel like profit is their sole number one priority.
Considering that they get paid their monthly salaries either way, the amount of profit is surely not on their mind all the time. According to Framework investor LTT Linus, the company is very successful. Why doesn't he promote Linux on Framework then?
Unpaid Linux ambassadors? Isn't that just Lemmy?
Unpaid Linux ambassadors?
No, unpaid Framework PR people at Linux events.
May the Penguin be with you!