New Open Hardware company

[Wolfgang Spraul]

maddog,
thanks for your thoughtful reply!

> Fortunately the mp3 issue (as a continued example) can be met other
> ways.  Since the designs are open, the addition of an mp3 codec by a VAR
> (and payment of that royalty in jurisdictions where it is required) is
> something that could be done even without any effort by the open
> community or Qi. But the issue has to be communicated and understood,
> the solution has to be planned.  IMHO the creation of an add-on package
> by Qi for mp3 and other royalty-bearing codecs would be something useful
> for their customers, and would call attention to the fact that these
> codecs are not free either as in Freedom nor as in Beer.

Perfectly fine. Nothing is more important than clarity, and professional work.
I do agree with some of Christoph's criticism in how Openmoko handled the MP3
situation back then. I too tried my best but wasn't satisfied with my results.
It was a nasty experience being attacked by one of these critters.

Having said that, both Openmoko and Qi have learnt from it (Christoph too I
think), and hopefully we can be smarter going forward and focus our energies
towards doing GOOD THINGS that make us happy.

What you describe there maddog is something I can subscribe to immediately.
If anybody wants an 'official' statement of Qi & patents or Qi & patented
codecs, please ask Steve over in the Qi developer list.
He will word something that can stand the test of time, which I cannot.

Wolfgang

On Tue, Jul 21, 2009 at 10:25:21AM -0400, Jon 'maddog' Hall wrote:
> >#2 Not only do we 'announce' products that are not for sale, but in
> >addition we have an open roadmap and design the products based on
> >community feedback.
> 
> A comment on this:
> 
> Of course designing a product with as much input and feedback from your
> community of customers is important.  But when I say "customers" here, I
> speak in the broadest possible terms:
> 
> - developers
> - end users
> - Channels (VARs, Distributors, Resellers)
> 
> Wolfgang has announced several goals of Qi, a main goal being that of
> "openness" and the support of Ogg formats.  This may be in conflict with
> goals of his channels, to be able to support both Ogg and mp3, and
> therefore reach a large enough marketplace to justify selling the
> product.
> 
> This may mean that the product sells in the tens of thousands instead of
> the millions.  That may be fine as long as it meets the other goals of
> Qi and the people that invest time and money in Qi, including
> manufacturers and distributors.
> 
> Fortunately the mp3 issue (as a continued example) can be met other
> ways.  Since the designs are open, the addition of an mp3 codec by a VAR
> (and payment of that royalty in jurisdictions where it is required) is
> something that could be done even without any effort by the open
> community or Qi. But the issue has to be communicated and understood,
> the solution has to be planned.  IMHO the creation of an add-on package
> by Qi for mp3 and other royalty-bearing codecs would be something useful
> for their customers, and would call attention to the fact that these
> codecs are not free either as in Freedom nor as in Beer.
> 
> I have seen lots of people communicate congratulations to the new
> company and I too wish them success.  Part of that congratulations
> should be the honest appraisal of their plans so they meet their goals.
> 
> Part of that is helping them get feedback from the community of their
> true customers, whoever those true customers are.
> 
> Warmest regards,
> 
> maddog
> 
> 
> 
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