I just got this in my mail and am quite surprised. Is this coordinated/endorsed with/by the FSF or just a private action?

Jan Wildeboer

-------- Original Message -------- Subject: [Off-Topic] Free Software Consortium in search of Consultants and Agents in your area. Resent-Date: Thu, 12 Dec 2002 02:50:22 +0100 (CET) Resent-From: uugrn@uugrn.org Date: Wed, 11 Dec 2002 17:25:42 -0600 From: Consorcio Software Libre info1@csl.cc Reply-To: info1@csl.cc Organization: Consorcio Software Libre

We would like to invite you to be a founding members of the FSC either as a Consultant and/or an Agent.

http://www.fsconsortium.com

On the main page you will find links to subscribe as consultant and/or agent.

Free Software Consortium is a multinational consortium established to link the companies and the independent consultants that use and promote free software.

One of the bigger obstacles to the development of the free software services market is the fear of many companies to establish contracts with independent consultants who do not have support of a well known Company, Corporation or Consortium. Questioning quality, support, experience and capability to successfully complete a project are the companies manager's main concerns when considering the option of migrating their systems to free software.

Like you, we know the excellent quality that Free Software offers. We have complete confidence that Free Software is going to be the platform of the future. That is why it's so important to work and consolidate together to solve the problem mentioned above.

Free Software Consortium intends to fill this void joining the best free software companies and consultants at the national and international level.

By joining to Free Software Consortium you or your company will have the following benefits:

1. Possibility of being hired by other Consortium members. 2. Possibility of hiring other Consortium members. 3. Use of the Consortium image and name with your clients. 4. Use of the Consortium's resources like Publicity Brochures, Business Cards, Banners for presentations and events, financial presentations, publicity articles for the press and magazines, support via mailing list and forums with the Consortium's members, marketing and communication assistance, CD's and manuals from the Consortium, site and mail hosting (yourarea.fsc.cc) and other future services. 5. Representation of the FS Consortium in your area to share administrative, legal and marketing resources between the Consultant members in your area.

Free Software Consortium will establish a contract with an Agent company which will have exclusive representation in it's area, in charge of organizing the consultants in the area. This Agent company will provide the administrative services, marketing and sales with the local customers.

From the business generated by the Free Software Consortium, the Agent company

will receive 20% of the value of the contract, and the Consultant or Consulting company will receive 80%.

The Free Software Consortium is developing a new business model and invites you to join as a founding member and contribute in developing this new business model. We need your valuable help to give us ideas and comments. Please write to info@fsconsortium.com

Thank you for your attention.

Free Software Consortium http://www.fsconsortium.com info@fsc.cc