SPI and the Linux Debit Card

[Bruce Perens]

Todd,

I think this should be within LinuxFund.org, they have operated a Linux 
affinity credit card for about 5 years and have done a good job at it. 
Have you briefed them yet?

    Thanks

    Bruce

Todd Lisonbee wrote:

>hello SPI,
>
>
>I have started a project called Linux Debit Card that may go nicely with
>SPI.
>
>the url is, http://www.linuxdebitcard.org/
>
>
>Here is the basic jist of my project:
>-------------------------------
>What is the Linux Debit Card?
>The Linux Debit Card is a way to generate revenue for Linux and other
>Open Source Projects.  It is a secure PIN based debit card that attaches
>to your current checking account.  The Linux Debit Card both generates
>revenue for Linux and is powered by Linux.  Every time you use the Linux
>Debit Card six cents goes towards supporting Open Source Software. 
>Linux Debit Card is a non-profit organization.
>
>What does it cost?
>It does not cost anything to sign-up or to use the card.  In fact, while
>generating revenue to support Open Source projects the card can also
>help merchants save money.
>
>How is this possible?
>Whenever you use a Debit or Credit card at a merchant location the store
>pays a fee.  With the Linux Debit Card, instead of your bank collecting
>the fee, money goes towards supporting Open Source software.  Debitman,
>the Linux powered debit network, connects the Linux Debit Card to your
>checking account.
>
>-------------------------------
>
>6 cents per transaction doesn't sound like much but when you do the math
>it can work out to quite a bit:
>100,000 cards * 5 transactions/card/month * $0.06/transaction =
>$30,000/month
>
>Or:
>50,000 cards * 5 transactions/card/month * $0.06/transaction = $540,000
>over 3 years
>
>Even with 10,000 cards, which is not very many at all, you can still do
>nicely:
>10,000 cards * 5 transactions/card/month * $0.06/transaction =
>$3,000/month
>
>
>Most of the details are explained pretty well in the website,
>http://www.linuxdebitcard.org/faq.html
>
>-------------------------------
>
>And now the purpose of this email,
>
>As I understand it SPI is an umbrella for several organizations. Could
>the Linux Debit Card possibly fall under that umbrella?  If it is a
>possiblity, how does that process work?
>
>The Linux Debit Card is not a software project but its goals seem very
>compatible to those of SPI.
>
>I believe for the Linux Debit Card to be successful it will need
>partnerships with other organizations (or to even be part of another
>org). Right now I could post some articles and press releases at various
>websites like newsforge, these would generate a lot of hits to
>http://www.linuxdebitcard.org/ resulting in so many cards issued.  After
>the news article is gone though there would be nothing left to promote
>the card.  
>
>I think the best way for the card to succeed is for it to be attached
>with specific projects.  The money generated from the card goes towards
>specific projects and those projects help promote the card.  Without
>these kinds of partnerships I think it is unlikely the Linux Debit Card
>will be successful.  Partnerships will add longevity in the promotion of
>the card and add credibility to the project itself.  Also, people will
>trust the Linux Debit Card if it is attached with an organization they
>know.
>
>
>Any feedback about the website or this idea as a way to generate revenue
>will be appreciated.  For instance, what would it take for you
>personally to sign-up for a card?  Does it seem like a scam? Why?  Does
>this seem compatible with SPI?  Does this sound like a crazy idea or do
>you think people would buy into it?
>
>
>
>Good questions to ask in evaluating this project are: 
>
>          Would people sign-up for the Card? 
>
>                   and
>
>          Would people use the Card?
>
>If the answer to these questions is yes then this would be a very easy
>way to generate a lot of revenue.
>
>
>Anyway, maybe some of these possibilities could be discussed a little on
>this list and then later maybe the subject could be brought up at an SPI
>meeting or looked at by a committee (or however it should work exactly).
>
>
>The Linux Debit Card project is live so you can fill out an application
>and get a card to see for yourself.
>
>I am happy to answer any questions.  
>
>
>Have a nice day,
>
>-Todd Lisonbee
>
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>Spi-general mailing list
>Spi-general at lists.spi-inc.org
>http://lists.spi-inc.org/cgi-bin/listinfo/spi-general
>
>  
>

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