OpenOffice.org Consultants Directory

[Proactive Services]

Hiya,

I'd like to remind (or indeed introduce) anyone on this part of the forum to the OpenOffice.org Consultants Directory, where users looking for paid support may be able to find help locally from a business that offers OpenOffice.org services.

[DrewJensen]

Thank you...in fact I believe what we should do is add a link to the list, in the same way a link has been added to the documentation on the wiki. So there would be a sub-forum named Consultants - opening that page would simply redirect to the consultants lists...

Any objections from anyone - other ideas?

[Proactive Services]

Thank you...in fact I believe what we should do is add a link to the list

Sounds like a great idea! The Directory sorely needs people to step up and help turn it into a proper database that makes entry administration easier, so a sticky or mention of it in some way that is semi-permanent would be very helpful, and I believe relevant to this part of the forum.

[DrewJensen]

Quite true -

I note that there has been a new burst of activity relating to the whole bizdev project of late in the mailing lists of late.

This forum is in response to a perceived need. All of those involved with setting up the forum came from OOoForum and one of the things that was noticed was that sometimes folks would come there looking for someone to handle a small project for them - maybe convert a group of templates from MSO to OOo so that they could migrate their small business. The problem is that the folks giving help and advice in the main forums are volunteers - the help offered is free and we want that to stay just that way. So when someone asked for 'a contractor' it became rather awkward.

Our idea is to have this one forum where that sort of request can be made without the awkwardness - We aren't looking to become a full blown business exchange board necessarily - We don't want to be a place for overt solicitation in other words, but rather where folks that really need help - NOW - and are looking for someone willing to do so can talk openly with those that are willing to do so - and keep this activity separate from the main boards.

Help with how best to do this is very much welcomed - in fact I will bring up the subject on the bizdev mailing list today I believe..see you there.

atjensen

[saphil]

I think we ought to add the consultants section to this site since they are snowed under with consultants wanting to be on the list at the consultants site. I think we could use a moderated db application so that the consultants can put in their own info. The current list is a horribly long, unwieldy, static htm page that is hard to update. I have already offered to help them develop their DB, and I believe OOUG could easily add that functionality here.

It is important to balance control with flexibility.

-Wolf Halton