The FreeCAD Project Association

[Chris_G]

Hey Yorik,
That's fantastic news ! Thanks a lot to you and everybody involved in this project.

Where can I buy a T-shirt?

I'll take the full set, along with the mug and the USB key

[yorik]

Okay, so I understand we want an e-shop right away?

There are a lot of possibilities we can do with the FPA. My own idea is mostly to start small and not get in the way of FreeCAD, and see how it grows, but yes, I think many companies will welcome that and we could use the FPA to help companies to get on board with FreeCAD.

I don't think it would be able to offer courses, support, etc... at least in a first moment, but we could definitely use it to say "we can connect you with developer X or Y who can provide the service you need" and do a kind of "bridge" that companies need. It's not much really, it's more like placing a kind of "official stamp", "approved by the FreeCAD Association" on things, but I believe it's mostly what companies need.

If some people inside a company want to use FreeCAD, it's hard for them to sell the idea to the company boss. There is no contract possible, no "who do I talk to". The boss, who doesn't know a thing about FOSS, will not feel secure and comfortable. The FPA could change that. We could build "official" procedures and contracts, explain "officially" to the bosses how things happen when you use FreeCAD, what they can count on and what they can't (that is basically what there is in a contract), etc.

[onekk]

Okay, so I understand we want an e-shop right away?

...

it's more like placing a kind of "official stamp", "approved by the FreeCAD Association" on things, but I believe it's mostly what companies need.

Well done.

The FPA could change that. We could build "official" procedures and contracts, explain "officially" to the bosses how things happen when you use FreeCAD, what they can count on and what they can't (that is basically what there is in a contract), etc.

Good point.

When will be T-Shirt ready, in time for Summer? You will ship all over Europe, Brussels is not out of reach, and Belgian beer is good, but shipping is better, maybe an Amazon shop?

This will be a good way to "raise money", at least you receive something for your money.

Regards

Carlo D.

[drmacro]

This is great new!

It will interesting to watch as things unfold.

And +1 for the tee shirts and other swag.

[ubiquity]

Okay, so I understand we want an e-shop right away?

There are a lot of possibilities we can do with the FPA. My own idea is mostly to start small and not get in the way of FreeCAD, and see how it grows, but yes, I think many companies will welcome that and we could use the FPA to help companies to get on board with FreeCAD.

I don't think it would be able to offer courses, support, etc... at least in a first moment, but we could definitely use it to say "we can connect you with developer X or Y who can provide the service you need" and do a kind of "bridge" that companies need. It's not much really, it's more like placing a kind of "official stamp", "approved by the FreeCAD Association" on things, but I believe it's mostly what companies need.

If some people inside a company want to use FreeCAD, it's hard for them to sell the idea to the company boss. There is no contract possible, no "who do I talk to". The boss, who doesn't know a thing about FOSS, will not feel secure and comfortable. The FPA could change that. We could build "official" procedures and contracts, explain "officially" to the bosses how things happen when you use FreeCAD, what they can count on and what they can't (that is basically what there is in a contract), etc.

Congratulations on the initiative.
I think the 'Blender' experience could be a useful parallel here.
Although I have only been an observer it seemed to me that Blender's progress towards 'industry standard' (and they are not there yet) hinges on a firm philosophical intent such that requests to make it behave more like Maya, for instance, have been resisted in favour of providing the same or similar functionality without compromising the fundamental code and general direction. The other thing I observed was that studios were happy to trade dependence on proprietary software for Blender, at the point where it was sufficiently mature to meet most of their needs, and willing to invest some of the saving into making it an even more mature product. One would hope that FreeCAD can offer a similar experience in the architectural and engineering space.

[a.l]

Great :) Thanks!
I guess this in some way means the end for the topological naming problem in the "near" future https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD/pull/4752 in regards to having a "product" that simply works and doesn't break. It would be stuff like that a lot of people would throw their money into having fixed/working!

Have you considered giving FreeCAD an official version 1.0 as to "convince" companies that FreeCAD is serious and not an alpha grade product?
(Some people often look at version numbers as a way to assess "quality". Personally I don't bother since I have been emerged in Linux for many years now.)

Also I found FPA mentioned here:
https://github.com/yorikvanhavre/FPA
Looks great :)

[keithsloan52]

Well done Yorik this is really good news.

[ragohix769]

Okay, so I understand we want an e-shop right away?

There are a lot of possibilities we can do with the FPA. My own idea is mostly to start small and not get in the way of FreeCAD, and see how it grows, but yes, I think many companies will welcome that and we could use the FPA to help companies to get on board with FreeCAD.

This is a FANTASTIC NEWS @Yorik!!!
Really thanks to make it happen. I could only imagine the huge efforts of all you involved to create this.

And this now, I'm SURE, will create a REAL difference. FC now will spread in the world in (parametric) CAD like Blender for 3D Artist!
Companies too now will have interest in FC, this is REALLY a game changer.

You will ship all over Europe, Brussels is not out of reach, and Belgian beer is good

Now I want FCA Belgian beer!

[Chrismettal]

Awesome news! Thank you!

Also +1 on the merch shop!

[chrisb]

Now I want FCA Belgian beer!

Probably "on Draft" !