What the Pink Dots Mean...

Thanks for the creative comments. (The link from the graphic to the NetBeans download page was a distraction... I didn't want the test to be too easy.) This is the picture I put in front of an investor group recently, along with a couple of OEM customers wanting to know how free and open source software helps us (and thus them). Each pink dot represents a connected Solaris 10 user - not a downloader, but an individual or machine (independent of who made the server) that connects back to Sun's free update service for revisions and patches - applied to an individual machine, or a global datacenter. This doesn't yet account for anywhere near all Solaris 10 downloads, as most administrators still choose to manage their updates through legacy, non-connected tools. But it's directionally interesting - and shows the value of leveraging the internet to meet customers (new and old). There's no way we could match this kind of global growth by sending out compact disks or sales reps - free software allowed interested developers/customers to identify themselves to us - rather than the other way around. And allows us to build vibrant relationships and communities across the globe - based on a free basic update service for individuals or small businesses, and higher value offerings for larger businesses. We are meeting new customers because Solaris no longer requires our hardware (or a human being to deliver it). You can click ar...

Date: December, 20 2006
Url: http://blogs.sun.com/jonathan/entry/pink_nosed_reindeer

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