Topic: Question regarding bundling SME Server with a server I sell?

[EnglishRob]

Okay, I'm not sure if I might have already answered my own question by reading the Polls, but here goes anyway...

I have my own business where I build and sell systems to home users and small businesses.  I've been looking at the SME Server for my own business as it was free to download, I had an old PC lying around and I needed a way of sharing my broadband connection over 2 PCs quickly and easily.

I had been thinking of putting together a package of say, 5 PCs and a server based on Windows 2003 Small Business Server and Windows XP Pro, but after trying SME Server and managing to do pretty much everything I need to on it I was thinking of bundling SME Server with the server package instead to keep the costs lower.

I was wondering what would be considered acceptable?

I was thinking along the lines of building a server which I would charge for components and a bit of profit, install SME Server (and charge for my time installing it and configuring it), supply SME Server on CD for reinstallation purposes and if there are any SME Server manuals, to print these and supply them with the server.

Would this be considered acceptable, since I would only be charging for the server components, my time (for building server, installing the software and installing it in the customer premises) and charging for the cost of a CD and paper/ink costs for the manual?

If this would be acceptable, I'd certainly be willing to make a donation to the contribs.org site, since the help I've received so far as been really good   .

Rob

[PhilV]

I'm not too hot with the whole licensing thing, but it would make sense to me that as long as you make it clear you are not charging for SME Server, only for your time and materials, then it should be ok?

You may find that in order to satisfy this you would have to offer your customer the option to have the equipment from you with no software installed, and the cost be reduced by only your SME time & materials.

(Not that a customer is likely to want this, but i believe you might need to offer it)

Just my thoughts,

Phil

[kozel]

You could also 'charge' a fair amount for the software and then hit the 'donation' button and render the full amount to the cause.  I've yet to install a customer but I have made a donation. Alot of resources are going into this effort and an occasional donation would help; so why not let your customer pay.  My 2 cents.

[PhilV]

Hmmm... Not sure you can charge for a 'donation'

I think the best you could do is strongly suggest to your customer they make a donation, but I don't believe you could charge tehm and then donate that money, (although if your charge a higher rate for your time and then were to take a cut of that and put it as a donation, that would probably be acceptable, *wink*).

Also don't think that you could withold the server software form teh customer if they refused to make a donation. However as you can see in the paragraph above I'm sure there is someway you coudl 'work it' if required

Phil

[duncan]

You can charge what you like for the software - if they are willing to pay for it.

[Boris]

GPL doesn't prohibit you from charging for the software. It just required you to make any modifications made to the GPL’ed software to be available.
Bundling the free software and charging for your effort and support is perfectly moral. Donating some money back to contribs.org to help supporting this project is not required, but it’s beneficial for you as well, as it will help this server to survive.
Supplying the printed manuals is a bit different story. The only complete manual so far is Mitel’s admin guide and technician handbook. Those are not GPL, but Mitel’s copyrighted. You can use (read) them, but not copy or sell. Latest GPL manuals are for the older version on e-smith server. Manual for the recent version of SME server is work in progress, but not complete yet. If you willing to distribute those, you better roll up your sleeves and join documentation team to finish it sooner  

[EnglishRob]

Cool, I don't suppose there are any fancy CD labels out there for SME Server?

How do I go about joining the documentation group?  I don't mind giving up a little bit of my spare time in the evenings (usually have evenings free when my other half is working).

Am I right in thinking that the customer won't need to buy Client Access Licences (CALs) for their machines?

Rob

[jcoleman]

Let's clear some things up.

- You can sell GPL product.  It is entirely ok to do so.

- You are not required to donate anything to contribs.org though your contributions help to continue this effort.

- You do not need to charge for CALs when using SME Server as a host.

- In order to volunteer, please send an email to volunteers@contribs.org

Cheers,

-jeff

[Anonymous]

Thanks for that, it covers everything I was wondering.

Rob

[Boris]

Cool, I don't suppose there are any fancy CD labels out there for SME Server?

Not yet, but if you create and share some they will be.

[Anonymous]

You do not need to charge for CALs when using SME Server as a host.

What is CALs?

Thanks

[EnglishRob]

A CAL is a Client Access Licence.  From what I understand, a Windows NT/2000/2003 server usually comes with 5 CALs which means that 5 PCs can connect to the domain.

If I recall correctly there is a setting to allow you to specify how many licences you have purchased.

Basicly if you have over 5 PCs on a domain, you have to buy more client access licences, and that is on top of the operating system for each PC.

Rob

[del]

Hi All,
If I design a CD label and cover can I use the new logo ie. the colored balls? I will make it available to everyone if I can get some place to put it. Maybe I could setup a folder in the contribs area? If so how do I? Thanks in advance.
Del

[Anonymous]

> Maybe I could setup a folder in the contribs area? If so how do I?

Just send an email request to
staff@contribs.org
asking for a contrib area to be set up for you. When it is created you connect to it using ftp uploads.

Regs
Ray

[del]

Hi All,
I have a CD label and (slim) CD Case cover designed, I am just waiting for JeffC to setup my contribs area. Meanwhile it can be downloaded here: http://www.myvirtualneighbors.com/sme_stuff
Please post comments here please.
Regards,
Del