kubuntu-council team mailing list archive

[Valorie Zimmerman <valorie.zimmerman@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi all, I recently had a private IRC chat with Mike Mikowski, below. To sum
up:

Kubuntu Focus has in the past donated some valuable computers to members of
the Kub. devel team. Mike didn't directly say this, but I think that both
within his company and within our Kub. team, he would like to have the
support of the KC of a policy supporting and perhaps guiding these
donations.

I can see how this could get a bit sticky both for KF & for us, but on the
other hand, donations of hardware is really valuable.

Thoughts?

Valorie

4:58] <mmikowski97> ping. Varie, are you stil on IRC?
[14:58] <mmikowski97> Wow, I really can't type!
[14:58] <valorie> I am
[14:58] <valorie> oh, I see I fell out of my Kub. chans
[14:59] <mmikowski97> So I wanted to ping people in Kubuntu Council, and
discuss and issue that is no big deal right now, but I think we should work
together on.
[15:00] <mmikowski97> Thanks for writing back, btw.
[15:00] <mmikowski97> There are certain sensitivities to be concerned about
as well, as you shall soon see.
[15:00] <valorie> aren't there always
[15:01] <mmikowski97> As you may be aware, the computer we donated to
Scarlett has been having a bit of trouble. Specifically, the power button
appears to be going wonk.y
[15:01] <valorie> I was unaware
[15:01] <mmikowski97> So I've been talking about sending her a replacement.
[15:01] <mmikowski97> Well, now you are :)
[15:02] <valorie> hardware issues can be a major pain
[15:03] <valorie> as are personal issue
[15:03] <valorie> mix them together: fun times
[15:03] <mmikowski97> We were thinking about sending an out-of-service
system, but the only problem with that is that if we decide to extend to 5
years coverage on systems, or even for ad-hoc assistance, giving up a
one-of-a-kind, impossible to replace bench models.
[15:04] <mmikowski97> So, it looks like we'd need to send her a new system.
[15:04] <valorie> your timing today was good; I just wrapped a zoom meeting
[15:04] <mmikowski97> I very nice new system.
[15:04] <mmikowski97> Like $1,600 retail new system.
[15:05] <valorie> yoiks
[15:05] <mmikowski97> You should see the m2g6 systems. Those are expensive.
Tariffs.
[15:05] <valorie> our wonderful president is making life so GOOD for us
[15:05] <mmikowski97> These are still reasonable. But you toss in 32 GB RAM
+ 990 Pro 1TB, and things get expensive.
[15:05] <valorie> yeah
[15:06] <mmikowski97> oh, if we go there, you and I will get nothing done
and definitely come to the same conclusion.
[15:06] <valorie> heh
[15:07] <mmikowski97> While I like the policy of bringing work back to the
US - I'm a product engineer and all the resources we used to have here just
20 years ago are now shipped to China or Mexico -
[15:07] <mmikowski97> This is absolutely NOT the way to do it.
[15:07] <valorie> 100%
[15:07] <valorie> mistakes were made 20 years ago,
[15:07] <mmikowski97> I used to have an automotive design shop, tier 1.
[15:07] <valorie> etc.
[15:08] <mmikowski97> Big ones. Bill C. sold us down the river with China
and Mexico.
[15:08] <mmikowski97> Now all my tool and die makers are retired, dead, or
unemployed.
[15:08] <mmikowski97> Well, the ones I used to hire.
[15:08] <mmikowski97> in any even, as I promised :)
[15:08] <mmikowski97> Don't get me going!
[15:09] <mmikowski97> Back to the computer:
[15:09] <valorie> I have the same discussions w/my son who works at system76
[15:09] <valorie> everyone facing the same realities
[15:09] <mmikowski97> What this brings up is there likely should be some
oversight on how we donate computers to the Kubuntu team.
[15:10] <valorie> some oversight from us the KC?
[15:10] <valorie> or from your end
[15:10] <valorie> or a contract?
[15:10] <mmikowski97> Yeah, the immediate tariffs are impossible. There is
no alternative; the industrialists /decided/ with the neoliberals to ship
all the expertise overseas. And it worked.
[15:11] <mmikowski97> So I'm not seeking anything. We're just talking about
donating.
[15:11] <valorie> k
[15:11] <mmikowski97> We've donated to Scarlett, Aaron, and Rik.
[15:11] <valorie> that's fantastic; I'm a bit out of touch as you might
have noticed
[15:12] <mmikowski97> So this would be another donation to Scarlett.
[15:12] <mmikowski97> Aaron is covered.
[15:12] <mmikowski97> Rik's laptop is pretty powerful and expensive (we
sent him a flagship), but getting a little old.
[15:13] <mmikowski97> So I was just wondering if there might be some
guidance on how to split up the pot. Like I told Scarlett I should bring
this up with the council.
[15:13] <valorie> I'd better check my email then
[15:14] <mmikowski97> But if I bring this up in front of others, they might
be like "we'll I haven't seen my KFocus laptop yet, and I've been working
for X years on the project."
[15:14] <mmikowski97> Or guidance from the council like this would be
helpful: "Here are the key developers that could really benefit from some
newer hardware..."
[15:15] <mmikowski97> I didn't send an email yet.
[15:17] <valorie> she may have, however
[15:17] <mmikowski97> well, I've talked to her via Matrix (dm).
[15:18] <valorie> yes, that kind of policy from us could be useful
[15:18] <mmikowski97> ah, to the council?
[15:18] <valorie> hopefully not seen as self-interested
[15:18] <mmikowski97> Yeah, just wondering if there is any guidance.
[15:19] <valorie> right, to the KC, about which I could not talk to you
without talking with the rest first
[15:19] <mmikowski97> I volunteered to see what we could do here, I'm just
trying to ensure it's warranted and not going to be misconstrued as discuss
above.
[15:20] <mmikowski97> (in other words, I told here we may be able to get
her a new machine, and have helped with the current one).
[15:21] <valorie> right
[15:21] <valorie> I'm not on track rn with that has been done in the recent
past and what lies ahead
[15:21] <valorie> but it seems like a good time to get current
[15:23] <mmikowski97> From what Scarlett has said, Rik Mills is really
driving things today in development, and apparently doing quite a good job.
[15:23] <valorie> he's very good indeed
[15:24] <mmikowski97> Are there regular council meetings?
[15:24] <valorie> not right now, no
[15:25] <mmikowski97> I know Rick Timmis is busy these days, or at least
was.
[15:25] <valorie> actually, we've always been rather ad hoc
[15:25] <valorie> which is too bad
[15:25] <valorie> strategic planning would help a lot
[15:25] <mmikowski97> well, there is only so much one can do.
[15:25] <valorie> that is certainly true for me
[15:26] <mmikowski97> um, mparbelo is on the council. Is that Maruo?
[15:26] <valorie> I've never been hooked into development and do not have
time or interest to do so
[15:26] <valorie> tbh, I don't know
[15:26] <mmikowski97> (I probably mispelt that, btw).
[15:26] <valorie> right
[15:27] <valorie> let me do a bit of digging and get back to you
[15:27] <valorie> rn I need to leave my computer for a few mins
[15:27] <mmikowski97> mparillo.

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she/her. "Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself
running with them." - Marcus Aurelius