[01:59]  * emgent heya
[02:35] <boredandblogging> please digg: http://digg.com/linux_unix/Ubuntu_Weekly_Newsletter_68
[02:43] <K_Dallas> Good evening guys! As I have been asking you in the past few days, I am working on a marketing presentation and chosen to discuss Ubuntu, mainly because IMO it has been the logical next step to Linux which nobody else cared to take.
[02:44] <K_Dallas> Since Ubuntu is now, not sure for how long, targeting Servers besides the general public PC and laptops, my question is how would you apply the success recipe for Ubuntu-PC to Ubuntu-Server?
[02:44] <K_Dallas> These two markets are really different and most probably many of apealing features for public might not be apealing to server people at all
[03:23] <Burgundavia> K_Dallas: server is very much the same development focus: making it easy to use while staying secure
[03:25] <K_Dallas> Good evening Burgundavia 
[03:26] <K_Dallas> I agree but the problem is that those who are in the business of setting servers and maintaining it are more sophisticated than general public users
[03:27] <K_Dallas> they have their own set of standards and tools and preferences and my understanding is that they are more serious about it so ease-of-use might not be that essential for them AND there is alway the question what is easy and what is not
[03:28] <K_Dallas> but these are all my speculations and I am not an expert in this field so just presenting my questions
[03:28] <K_Dallas> Burgundavia, do you mind if I quote you in the presentation (and in the report) ?
[03:34] <Burgundavia> K_Dallas: go nuts
[03:34] <K_Dallas> lol ;) 
[03:34] <Burgundavia> and yes, you can assume certain knowlefdge, but the end result is still the same
[03:34] <Burgundavia> making it easy for an end user, no matter their skill level is the key
[03:35] <K_Dallas> well, i have to change my conclusion and recommendation then ;)
[03:35] <Burgundavia> for a desktop that might be assuming that a user can plugin a usb key, for the server it assumes a small amount of commandline knowledge and some domain specific knowledge that is general to the type of server you are setting up, if not to the specific program you are using
[03:42] <K_Dallas> Since server is not what I do, not even for fun, I never noticed that Ubuntu was active there.  How long have you been targeting servers and how successful it has been with the users?
[03:42] <Burgundavia> the first server edition was for Hoary, 5.04
[03:43] <Burgundavia> the server team, as a Canonical entity, did not exist until earlier this year
[03:43] <Burgundavia> the challenge is that of Ubuntu being pigeon-holed into a "desktop distro", rather than a good distro for both
[03:43]  * emgent heya
[03:49] <K_Dallas> Burgundavia, I think I am lost here.  Do you mean you want Ubuntu to be perceived as a desktop distro which is capable of setting servers as easily as it could be used to set up a personal desktop computer? or that I am totally wrong
[03:50] <Burgundavia> no, I am saying we are perceived as a desktop distro
[03:50] <Burgundavia> our goal is to be as easy to use on the server as the desktop
[03:52] <K_Dallas> i see
[03:53] <K_Dallas> so you are basically using the market segmentation and targeting a whole new segment which is exciting.
[03:54] <K_Dallas> (BTW, I noticed that you are from Canada.  I live near Montreal :)
[03:57] <Burgundavia> ah, right near Canonical's main support HQ
[04:00] <desertc> K_Dallas: You realize that even Windows uses the same code base for servers and desktops, right?
[04:00] <K_Dallas> desertc, yes, my view is from a marketing stand
[04:00] <desertc> You seemed surprised that the Ubuntu desktop code could be used for servers.
[04:00] <K_Dallas> you could sell the _same_ product to different segments with diff price tag and ...
[04:01] <K_Dallas> desertc, lol not really but my surprise was from the fact that i always saw ubuntu as a desktop and with an edge of being easy for everybody, even grammas
[04:02] <K_Dallas> targeting servers, is as i wrote earlier, going towards a totally new part of the market
[04:02] <K_Dallas> and requires different marketing strategy, or seems so
[04:03] <K_Dallas> Burgundavia, where exactly is the support HQ in montreal, do you have a building there?
[04:09] <desertc> You've been to ubuntu.com right?
[04:09] <Burgundavia> I am not with Canonical and I have no idea
[04:10] <Burgundavia> desertc: and as for "code sharing", windows is a lot less modular than any Unix system
[04:11] <desertc> Right on their front page there is an explanation of their desktop and server offerings.  On the support link, there is an explanation of their server support.
[04:11] <K_Dallas> desertc, i know that canonical is london based and ... but I saw an old job opening in montreal and i thought there was a support team in montreal as well. 
[05:12] <tonyyarusso> K_Dallas: The call center is in Montreal.  MagicFab and mneptok both work there.
[05:13] <K_Dallas> thank you tonyyarusso 
[05:14] <K_Dallas> we are expecting a snow storm early tomorrow and that is Montreal ;)
[05:15] <tonyyarusso> K_Dallas: Yeah, you'll be getting some snow all right
[05:16]  * tonyyarusso already had that system pass over - about 6 or 7 inches here (~16cm)
[05:16] <Madpilot> there's snow here in Victoria! It's not supposed to happen here!
[05:16] <K_Dallas> i know, that is global cooling ;)
[05:17] <Madpilot> there's a whole inch of the evil white stuff out at the airport (unless the rain has melted it all already) </outraged Victorian>
[05:27] <K_Dallas> Red Hat Plans to "Own" 50% of Server Market by 2015! That is interesting!
[15:28]  * emgent hi