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Linux at the Indianapolis 500

Not sure why LXer hasn't picked up this story, but if he does it later, twice is not too often.

Linux users have become a little complacent about their free operating system. A too common attitude seems to be, "I can't contribute code, so I won't contribute anything." They are, however, zealous about their own favorite distro.

When you click the "Donate" button, the is an empty box to fill in the reason for your contribution. I, of course, put "Debian" in there.

Linux at the Indianapolis 500

I know this is not the place to post this , but this is very important for the Linux community to see.
Don't reply to this post,so it won't take up forum space, just click on below site.

http://www.tux500.com/

Folks this is not a scam.
goto http://lxer.com and read article.

Jim

RickH and Mickeyboa - I have merged your two threads together in the Linux-News section.

Regardless of anything else, I would recommend attending the Indianapolis 500 at least once during your lifetime. It is an unbelievable experience for everyone -- I am not a race fan by any stretch, but the Indy 500 was one of the coolest events I've ever been to. Check it out......

Linux goes racing

The Tux 500 project is attempting to raise $US350,000 to fund a Linux race team at the Indianapolis 500, this year. The money is to be raised by community donation. With your help this can happen.

Linux goes racing..... do you want to help?

Quote:

Linux nut Bob Moore, marketer, race nut, and apparently fairly swell guy. Is trying to pull together the funds to sponsor a Linux Indy Car in this year’s Indianapolis 500, (if you’re not aware, it’s a small get-together of 260,000 of your closest friends to watch 33 people turn left and go really fast for 500 miles (804.672 kilometers )).

From the Blog of Helios Linux Users - Start.....Your.....ENGINES!

Quote:

Without a doubt, one of the most famous and voraciously-viewed sporting events around the world is the Indianapolis 500. Drivers from every corner of the planet frantically scramble to put together cars, teams and sponsors for their shot at not only fame, but world-wide recognition and respect for what they do.

Oh, let's not forget the money. The Winner's Purse might find a place in that list of mentionable motivations.

When I say that the Indy 500 is voraciously viewed, that is no subjective phrase. Networks battle just as hard as the drivers, race teams and sponsors for the rights to broadcast the event. Sponsors? Why the elbowing and shoving for positions among sponsors? Isn't an Indy car going a bit to fast to pick out a sponsor's ad on the chasis? Well,...yeah, but that's not the idea. During the course of the race, as the driver gains, loses or maintains his or HER position on the track, it's not only the driver that is mentioned...it's the driver's sponsor who is mentioned.

"Jack, it looks like the number 17 Linux car is making it's move. Yes,...what a gutsy move Jack...second place now has a new occupant. The Linux Lotus blew by him at mach 6..."

That is heard by the millions upon millions who are watching the race.

It is known as "product insertion" and it's a powerful method in gaining the attention of the consumer.

Well Linux Users...it's time for a bit of "product insertion" of our own. That's right. As of now, The Linux Community is going to attempt to make history.

LINUX IS GOING TO THE INDIANAPOLIS 500

This is indeed a historic moment for Linux and the Linux Community. Bob Moore, A Linux Administrator, enthusiast and Advocate understands completely the need for Linux-At-Large to gain recognition in the market place. While the Boxset distros such as Xandros and RedHat are marketed by their respective corporate entities, the "One-Man" distros and the smaller projects are left to word of mouth fate. That works fine to a point, but has proven to fall short of getting the word of Linux "Out There".

Lobby4Linux has been a critic, and a sometimes harsh critic of the community in this area. For good reasons. Efforts to gather the talent for commercials, the pre and post production assets and the logistical headaches have all been gathered and done by L4L. Now all they are gathering is dust. It seems the "let-the-other-guy-do-it mentality has won out within the community. So all the efforts we have put forth thus far have sat in the corner, waiting for someone to dust them off and put them to work. Those who have volunteered these valuable assets are left to wonder why they went to the trouble in the first place. It makes it difficult to rally these kinds of talents in the future.

Enter two key players in this project: Bob Moore and Acceleration Marketing

Bob knows an opportunity when he sees one. Being a native of Indianapolis Indiana and an avid fan of Indy-style racing, Bob has seen first-hand the impact that sponsorship can have on a product or service.

If we can get this into the mainstream press, that in itself is a promotional boost for Linux.

From the Blog of Helios

Quote:

Linux, We Have A Driver. - Chastain Motorsports Announces Linux Sponsorship in the Indy 500

It is with pleasure and certainly a large amount of relief that I come to you with an announcement of immense importance to many in this community.

We have a race team with Tux at the wheel.

Tom Chastain, a legend in the Indianapolis Racing Realm and the owner of Chastain Motorsports has announced his team's entrance in this year's Indy 500. And if we've got anything to do with it...as long as I have one struggling breathe left inside of me, that monster of a race car will have Linux splashed all over it when the flag drops. It will be the first time in history that Linux as been an active participant of the now-famous cry.

"Gentlemen, Start your engines"!

Indy Racing League News and Notes

Quote:

Sponsorship for the effort is being generated through an innovative program for the promotion of the Linux computer operating system. The massive community of individuals who have collectively developed Linux is being mobilized to promote Linux using the visibility of the world's most famous race as the communication platform. The cherubic penguin mascot of Linux, affectionately known as Tux, will be featured on the car. The Linux community leader on the project, Bob Moore, in conjunction with Lobby4Linux.com and Acceleration Marketing have established a web site on this unique sponsorship program at www.Tux500.com.

Donations

From the Blog of Helios

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Indy Racing League News and Notes

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Donations

Checkout the Indy 500 website upper right on site

http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/

Checkout the Indy 500 website, upper right on site. Tux is in the BIG TIME !!!!

http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/

Odd, are there really that many Linux users who are in:

a. the USA
b. into the 500 sports car racing.

Banner advertising is probably a better spend, radio or even TV.

I do hope they have a fall back position where the money donated can go in to the building of a marketing base, rather than an all or nothing approach to sponsoring an Indianapolis 500 car.

It may be a dream to some to have sponsored a race car - but short of being in the motor industry sector it does not make much sense.

I am sure the sentiment is well founded, but the targeting is way off.

There are other problems as well, the Linux car might not win and heaven forbid it comes in last place, then you are facing negative marketing.

The cost of advertising is going to be based on the chance of the car to win, and a lot of it is offset against the supply of parts for the car. So, Pirelli, Duckhams etc have an interesting marketing avenue with race cars, Linux does not really.

Quote:

There are other problems as well, the Linux car might not win and heaven forbid it comes in last place, then you are facing negative marketing.

Advertising truism: There is no such a thing as negative publicity.

There have been many many columns written about Linux's need to come up with methods of generic promotion ... promotions that all distributions can join without any particular personal advantage.

This effort may well provide a model for that kind of cooperative effort. If a couple people can get together and raise $350,000 in 40 days ... What will that say to the world about the power of the Linux community?

Well there is negative marketing - and it is a reality quite a few people have fallen foul of, Gerald Ratner being a classic example of it. And do you think that some mileage will not be gained by competitors who say, 'oh Linux, wasn't that the car that came in last in the Indi 500.' You don't want your brand associated with failure especially in computing. There is a reason why Coca Cola protects their trademark, and a reason they are number one in cola sales. So, yeah it is a fallacy to assume that there is no such thing as negative publicity, it would be as daft as writing: Advertising truism: There is no such thing as positive publicity. The reason the term abounds is because marketing companies make their money from marketing so the more the better.

As I say, I am sure the intention is good, but would it not be better perhaps to sponsor a billboard in the Olympics, which is world wide, or even a billboard at the Indi 500, not quite as romantic perhaps but a lot safer and probably cheaper.

Boy there sure are a lot of pessimist in the Linux Community