[Typo3-marketing] Freelance auction for TYPO3 web development?

[Daniel Hinderink]

Hi Valery,

As you have already pointed out, other simpler systems do that job better
than TYPO3. I think it is best for the customers, the freelancers and the
project to not attempt at a low budget market with a overtly complicated
tool.

> I want TYPO3 to be good low budget  projects. This freelance auction can be
> the first step to create infrastructure for that.

I guess your reason is because you want to compete in that market. Is TYPO3
really the right tool for doing so in a cost-effective way? I doubt it.

> Questions:
> 1) Can this project be bad for German typo3 studios? (I think - no, because
> it is for different (low budget) market)

It could be bad for them, it will definitely not help the reputation of
TYPO3 in it's current target market, regardless of it's location.

May be it's worth it to look at this in a long-term perspective.

Two years ago someone tried to auction off a TYPO3 website on ebay. We took
legal action to prevent that.

This last october a hosting company cashing in on TYPO3 used the name and
logo in large letters at a trade fair and wrote "CMS for free" in large
letters underneath.

What I am trying to say is, TYPO3 knowledge and services on a lower level
are getting more available and thus cheaper and this type of vendor is
getting constantly more reach and market visibility.

Along with that the vendors are changing and the way TYPO3 is communicated.
That has some consequences no one wants, like giving TYPO3 a cheap image.

Of course a cheap tool will get no high-end input, which will let it
deteriorate. A problem we are already facing in the TER and with the rather
low amount of donations.

> 2) What do you think about this project? Will it be popular?

Probably. The question is, if it is sustainable for anyone involved and
especially TYPO3. I don't think so. To me it looks like selling out.

Either we can't avoid that and should go with the flow, or we should do
everything to compensate and overcome this trend. I opt for the latter.

@Jean-Marie: I guess you see the (near) impossibility of brand building
without adequate power over it. We should still discuss it.

Cheers,

Daniel