[BSDCert] New to the list: My two cents

[Jim Brown]

* Sunny Dubey <sunny-ml at opencurve.org> [2005-04-08 20:27]:
> <warning buzz words ahead>
> 
> On Friday 08 April 2005 05:26 pm, Matt Edlund wrote:
> > Well I saw a post about this certification on Slashdot and I thought I
> > would join the mailing list and see if it is something to take
> > seriously or not.  To be honest, that is the largest problem that any
> > kind of BSD certification is going to face; if it will be taken
> > seriously or not.
> 
> No, the single largest problem that any kind of mass computing certification 
> is going to face is the marketing.
> 
> I am very much a geek like all of you, however I am also 3/4th through what is 
> essentially a 'Marketing 101' course at the university.  And in all honesty, 
> I don't think geeks should attempt marketing.
> 
> I think that the single best thing BSDCert can do is to go out and find a real 
> marketing professional who has a slight clue about *nix.  If what I've 
> learned thus far in class is any indication, such a professional will be 
> *very very good* at automatically steering this group towards the correct 
> segment of the market it can efficiently penetrate.  Floundering around and 
> "learning the hard way" would be too costly.

Yes marketing is important.  So is having a solid product.  In my experience
it's easier to market something in the long run if you have a solid product.

What are your ideas on the market segments we should target?  Which ones
do you think are essential?


> 
> I'm sure many are greatly offended by now.  But I leave you with this thought:  

One of the benefits of experience is being able to see 
constructive criticism as constructive.  No offense taken- 
by me anyway.




> Apple computers is the *master* marketer, it would be pretty damn hard to 
> beat them.   Do you think Apple lets their OS-X coders create marketing 
> strategies on side ?  No, Apple pays a pretty penny for marketing managers, 
> artists, etc to create the image that OS-X Server and Xserves have.  Who is 
> Apple targetting with such shiny marketing ?  the very same people BSDcert 
> needs to target, the PHB's with the hiring and purchasing power.
> 
> I'm not here to belittle anyone, but I think finding external help ASAP is 
> going to be immensely beneficial.

If you want to recommend someone, send me a note off list.

Best Regards,
Jim B.