[Typo3-marketing] Update: Opinion

[Brian Kunau]

Hello All,
This is my inaugural post to any Typo3 list, please excuse any breaches
of list etiquette and overall length.

I hope my "opinion" is received in the manner intended, as possibly
helpful information based on, what I perceived as, a similar situation.

>On Tue, 20 May 2003 18:50:06 +0200
>Daniel Hinderink <daniel at typo3.com> wrote
<snip>
>>>>>2. Consultancies
The number of applications is proliferating, especially for Germany. I
am thinking of raising the bar for new entries by requiring at least one
substantial contribution, like an extension per six months per
consultancy.

The quality of the people offering their services is very hard to
measure, but some basic understanding of extensions should be  a
prerequisite.

Any objections?
</snip>

And
>On Tue, 20 May 2003 22:45:03 +0200
>"ben van 't ende \(netcreators\)" <ben at netcreators.nl> wrote
<snip>
Hi D.,

It is hard to judge the quality of a consultancy. Is this to be measured
by extensions? I hardly think so. We never did any extensions. We ask
others to build them for us. Doesn't mean we are not 'qualified'
consultants. Does it?

I haven't got a suggestion! Anyone any thoughts on this?
</snip>

I don't have any "objections", but I do have a suggestion(s).

I am seeing, and have been seeing, the results of a similar situation
being worked out in the FileMaker Developers community.  My opinions are
based on the methods, perception, and outcome of establishing a
"baseline skills requirement" for this group, of which I am a member.


A) If you/we (Typo3 et al) decide to have criteria of any kind:
	1) Are business entities, i.e. XYZ inc., to be named as an
approved vendor?  On what basis?  Fee?  Current employees?
	2) Are individuals to be certified, and hence their cert. passes
then to any new employing firm?
	3) The ramifications of a poor choice in the above 2 items are
manifold.
		a) Would you hire a coder to work on a new client app,
knowing that if he left, or more likely in the real
		world, was hired away by some other firm (worst case=>
by a contact made on an "official" Typo3 developer list?
		b) Would you ever even let your customers know Typo3
exists?
	4) How is recognition passed to a business or ind contractor?
		a) Web listing? Site Logo?  Referral of geographically
logical requests for info from Typo3.org/com?
	5) Make it known sooner, rather than later, and make it law.
		a) I don't think people mind setting standards for
inclusion, they mind exceptions and changes.
B) A single affiliation type is easier to promote and better received by
affiliates.
	1) You're either an affiliate or you aren't.  All who are share
the same designation.
	2) Logical extension=> Why would a consultant, not included in
the highest level of whatever,
	recommend a platform to his/her clientele knowing a trip to
their website will effectively label in a "plebe".
	3) Who decides on group placement, requirements by group, and at
some point possibly group reduction?
C) Having affiliates act as arbiters of other affiliates training level,
training quality, and overall ability.
	1) Very unsettling for those not chosen as arbiters.
	2) Who chooses, elects, appoints, or otherwise delegates the
arbiters to their post?
	3) How long should one be an arbiter?  Lifetime appointment?  1
or 2 years?  Can you hold position more than once.
	4) Can arbiters be involved in other areas?  (See item D)
D) Standards require training, possibly and most likely, some form of
CEU's (continuing educational unit) requirement.
	1) Training requirements almost always require training material
or courses.
	2) Who provides "official training"?
	3) Who certifies the training as "official" or "approved"?
	4) Who certifies the trainers as "official" or "approved"?
	5) Is there a fee for "training" and/or after that a fee for
group inclusion??  One time fee or annual?
	6) And now "THE MONEY QUESTION"  Can those who are (be whatever
method) in charge of setting requirements
	also provide training materials, courses, etc. on a for profit
basis????

All these things, in my opinion, require great thought.  A wise man once
said "measure twice, cut once".

I don't think anyone minds standards, per se, but the appearance of a
ruling "clique", or some cadre of insiders forming the Typo3 version of
the mythical(?) "Lumber Cartel" (yes I know TINLC) will most assuredly
bring a quick demise to any feeling of involvement or community.  Hence
an untimely death for what I consider to be a very promising project.

Sorry again for msg. length, but I really am interested in helping this
project.

Ps Daniel, I sent you a msg on 5.19.03, I assume it was received?  If
not please advise.



Regards,


Brian L. Kunau
President
The Kunau Companies, Inc. (TKCI)
mailto:brian at kunaucompanies.com (If you see an ugly green index page you
know our hosting situation is still in flux!)
859.288.5000

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