2004-08-06-02
Draft Budget |
B. Foster sent a draft budget to the board on 03 Aug 2004.
- M. Klein stated that with the exception of the "Software
Engineering" dollars, he felt the numbers presented were reasonable
based on his experiences. B. Foster reported that some of the numbers
were deliberately low in order to generate discussion so that more
realistic numbers could be inserted.
- Budget figures are aimed at supporting a "patch only"
environment.
- Especially for the Software Engineering figures, it is important that
people understand what they are looking at. It would be good if one-line
explanations were added to each line item.
- OpenMPE will be asking for 'Letters of Commitment' from the membership
to demonstrate to HP that OpenMPE is capable of taking on the workload.
These letters would be held in escrow by
the accountant. 95% would be refundable if sufficient minimum funds
aren't raised. Remaining 5% would retain to cover expenses. The letters
would be 'powerful ammunition' towards convincing HP
- The Board needs to contact companies with MPE customers (e.g., software
vendors, media) to gain some kind of access to their mailing lists so
that OpenMPE can reach as many people as possible for the fund-raising
drive. S. Suraci recommended "co-branding" as a great idea
-- both OpenMPE's and the vendor's name would be on mailing.
- How will membership levels be established? Company sales? Number of
CPU's? Number of users? B. Foster to send suggestions to the board for
later discussion.
|