[BadVista Advocate] RFC

Sat Apr 28 23:19:32 EDT 2007

Yeah I agree with that idea I just think we should stray away from the
words webring as well as random redirect pages etc. They are bad for
image and google rankings. How about we just all link to badvista?
That can be our central point.
***CROSS POSTING***
Comrade Ringo Kamens

On 4/28/07, Don Hensley <Don at donhensley.com> wrote:
>
> I was actually less interested in webrings in the conventional sense then I
> was in a common badge, and a central point for that badge to point at. That
> site can have the actual links to individual pages, with possibly brief
> descriptions (provided by the web site owner).
>
> It's the sense of belonging to, and ability to clearly be seen as a part of
> this community that I want to foster.
>
> And I mean so it shows to the visiting public, we all already know how to just
> check the BadVista Advocacy members page, so we need a public method of
> showing we all are coordinated in this effort.
>
> Anyway that was the idea.
>
> Don.
>  *****************
>  On Saturday 28 April 2007 08:04 pm, Ringo Kamens wrote:
> I don't actually have admin access on the server, just to the wiki. I
> think a webring is too formal and search engines seem to "downgrade"
> links to and from webring sites. We'll still be a webring, but we
> won't publicly say it. It will just be a bunch of linking back and
> forth to each other. So who has sites that wants to join in?
> Comrade Ringo Kamens
>
> On 4/28/07, Don Hensley <Don at donhensley.com> wrote:
> > Ringo Kamens,
> > Now that was fast! I was off looking at GPL'd webring progys and you are
> > off and running.
> >
> > I see you are already set up to do PHP and are no doubt familiar with it,
> > so how about becoming a ringmaster - there are a ton of good GPL'd
> > programs, here's a Google:
> > http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=create+webring+gpl&btnG=Google+Search
> >
> > Would you be interested in being ringmaster?
> >
> > Don.
> >  ****************************
> >  On Saturday 28 April 2007 07:42 pm, Ringo Kamens wrote:
> > Update: There is a page on the BinaryFreedom wiki here:
> > http://wiki.binaryfreedom.info/index.php/BadVista_Advocacy
> > Please update it/add more information. Let's turn this plan into reality!
> > Comrade Ringo Kamens
> >
> > On 4/28/07, Ringo Kamens <2600denver at gmail.com> wrote:
> > > This is a great idea and something I've been wanting to do for a
> > > while. If anybody needs a place to collaborate, they can join the
> > > Binary Freedom IFSA mailing list (binaryfreedom.info) or on our wiki
> > > at wiki.binaryfreedom.info. Also, getting people involved in
> > > showusthecode.com would be good as well.
> > > In total solidarity,
> > > Comrade Ringo Kamens
> > >
> > > On 4/28/07, Don Hensley <Don at donhensley.com> wrote:
> > > > This is not in any great order, it's just a stab at a coherent road to
> > > > possibly start us out in a unified but broad direction. (I have a fear
> > > > of narrow approaches. I think hackers work best when working on their
> > > > own, but in collaborative groups --Just my take is all).
> > > >
> > > > - - - -
> > > >
> > > > 1.  Set up a lot of cross linked and badged sites for our projects. A
> > > > sort of BadVista Ring, we already have enough of us to make a good
> > > > core. This diversifies the reach of our project, and helps all the Ring
> > > > sites gain Google rank.
> > > >
> > > > 2. Each site should "do it's own thing", but use heavy cross linkage to
> > > > other sites (within the Ring - so there is a cohesive wholeness to the
> > > > links) to show aspects that any one site is not delving into as deeply
> > > > as the linked to site is, for that particular subject. This gives us
> > > > the ability to coordinate both sites to play well off the strengths of
> > > > the other site - because we have a back end communication that is not
> > > > apparent to the visitor.
> > > >
> > > > Among our Ring sites, I would encourage deep linking, as well as just
> > > > linking to the home page. Let the Ring links do the home pages, let
> > > > deep links do the internal work of leading people around. Use "open in
> > > > a new window (tab)" so the visitor does not lose where he was.
> > > >
> > > > 3. For that back end communication we need a wiki for resource
> > > > management and a board much like Slashdot only without the vote system
> > > > (actually the Bruce Perens Technocrat.net site does just what I have in
> > > > mind). That way we can track separate subjects and proposals by
> > > > individual - and reply in a cogent manner, instead of what we are doing
> > > > now.
> > > >
> > > > 4. We link back to BadVista.org, of course, but mostly we try to use
> > > > this mail list as a recruiting ground for more participants, and
> > > > general pointing out new sites and findings. That gives us the drawing
> > > > power of the FSF to find ever more adherents to the cause. Of course we
> > > > advocate joining the BadVista Advocate program (and the FSF!), and
> > > > provide links to the
> > > > http://badvista.fsf.org/mailman/listinfo/advocate and FSF.org sites for
> > > > those that wish to take part, at whatever level.
> > > >
> > > > 5. We need to link heavily to already existing sites that cover much of
> > > > the ground that there is little point in our repeating. With luck
> > > > eventually some of them will link back to our sites.
> > > >
> > > > 6. I do not think we need to pick a particular Distro, or try to create
> > > > our own. But I do think we should all use one or two Distros like
> > > > gNewSense (it is a Distro, you can download the ISO from here if you
> > > > want):
> > > > http://www.gnewsense.org/Main/Features --but it is also more then just
> > > > a Distro, because you can use Builder and create a Distro to your
> > > > liking.
> > > >
> > > > This does not mean limiting your self to just gNewSense, or any
> > > > particular Distro, just that we all should use some agreed on totally
> > > > Free Distro, like gNewSense, as our shared Distro for explanations when
> > > > ever we are working the notion of Free Software into our pages.
> > > >
> > > > Links and excerpts from the GNU philosophy pages would go well at the
> > > > appropriate points.
> > > >
> > > > 7. Also one might consider showing off  http://www.lnx-bbc.com/ it is
> > > > the way the FSF Associate Membership Cards are done (an entire
> > > > GNU/Linux mini distro on a business card sized (and shape) CD.
> > > >
> > > > 8. We should actually introduce the players and explain what they do
> > > > and how they work to create the entity generally known as GNU/Linux.
> > > >
> > > > By this I mean start with the Logos. Like the KDE dragon Konqi, the
> > > > Gnome foot print, the GNU GNU, the Linux penguin (Tux), and so on.
> > > >
> > > > Do lightweight intros into what each of those projects are, and where
> > > > they fit in the scheme of things. Link to another persons site on the
> > > > Ring that is doing a more in depth look at what ever your not going
> > > > into in depth, like if you are a Gnome user, link to a KDE users site
> > > > (or several of the RING sites) in your description of KDE. Deep link as
> > > > required in descriptions of each project, to other Ring members sites.
> > > >
> > > > A sort of distributed attack on the perception problem, make it fun and
> > > > educational. And I think each of us probably can, and does, reach a
> > > > different segment of end users that we each can present stuff to as
> > > > fun. Lets try to use that diversity, with a combined strategy.
> > > >
> > > > That way we can use our expertise to good instruction, and feel free to
> > > > talk about your favorite Distro... just always return to the shared
> > > > pure GNU/Linux Distro of choice (like gNewSense) as the example of
> > > > totally Free Software.
> > > >
> > > > A pragmatic method, but consistently pointed at Free Software as the
> > > > ultimate goal.
> > > >
> > > > 9. Along the way, without making a big deal out of it, slip in little
> > > > things like how Vista does not allow you to control things like how you
> > > > interface with your own computer. Explain why it's so much more useful
> > > > to be able to change things, or have a community to ask for changes,
> > > > rather then just being at the mercy of one monopoly. The ***AA's are a
> > > > monopolistic group too, not just Microsoft.
> > > >
> > > > Easy segueway into why DRM is harmful, why Treacherous Computing is
> > > > dangerous.
> > > >
> > > > 10. Have ever more layered pages that go into these subjects in more
> > > > depth, if the visitor wishes to follow up on some point you have made.
> > > >
> > > > BIG DISCLAIMER: I'm no good at jazzy web sites, and I don't know much
> > > > about marketing. These are just things --Starting points, for a
> > > > possible road to follow.
> > > >
> > > > There have been so many good ideas tossed out already that I am a bit
> > > > overwhelmed, so this is actually a sort of outline to bring our efforts
> > > > into some cohesive form.
> > > >
> > > > I read at least one person that said he'd managed to explain what an
> > > > API was to a pointy haired boss, I'll bet he and all you people can
> > > > improve on my little list. Probably in ways I'd never imagine.
> > > >
> > > > So this is more like a RFC, if you will.
> > > >
> > > > So bring on the comments.
> > > >
> > > > Don.
> > > > --
> > > > GNU/Linux is the future.
> > > > Join the FSF: http://www.fsf.org/register_form?referrer=4458
> > > > Get the Real Facts: http://BadVista.org
> > > >
> > > > _______________________________________________
> > > > Advocate mailing list
> > > > Advocate at badvista.org
> > > > http://badvista.fsf.org/mailman/listinfo/advocate
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Advocate mailing list
> > Advocate at badvista.org
> > http://badvista.fsf.org/mailman/listinfo/advocate
> >
> > --
> > GNU/Linux is the future.
> > Join the FSF: http://www.fsf.org/register_form?referrer=4458
> > Get the Real Facts: http://BadVista.org
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Advocate mailing list
> > Advocate at badvista.org
> > http://badvista.fsf.org/mailman/listinfo/advocate
>
> _______________________________________________
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>
> --
> GNU/Linux is the future.
> Join the FSF: http://www.fsf.org/register_form?referrer=4458
> Get the Real Facts: http://BadVista.org
>
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