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As finding a case for the laptop seems to be quite difficult, I would like to propose some alternatives (Inspired from the Novena and Raspberry Pi)

The keyword for this laptop is "Freedom" so what about a hardware design that would let you choose what your hardware would be or look like.

The idea would be to have a motherboard with standard design specifications that would be open. (Does it already exist for laptops?)

Then, if we decide to do a crowd funding campaign at some point, we can have a few options :

- The motherboard and components are sold as a kit by themselves. You can download the specifications / 3D models of the case to build one yourself.

- The laptop is sold with a basic case (3D printed or from an existing laptop).

- Just like for the Novena, we find an artist who would do a limited edition of an amazing case.

I think the point of this idea would be to have a standard design that would be open and that any manufacturer or DIYer would have access to to make great things.
We may need to define one if it doesn't exist.

Also, I suggest that our hardware design to be compatible with the FSF criteria for libre hardware http://libreplanet.org/wiki/Group:Hardware/Certification_criteria

All this is just an idea to be discussed.

Based on the brainstorming about the name of the computer, I picked up the names that seemed to be the most liked and which were not to be mistaken with something else.

I got rid of "PowerZen" in this list because it is used by pills for sexual performances. However, If you think this is not a problem, I may add it back.

Let's vote!

I think that if we want to promote this computer as "respects your freedom" we should be able to run one of these distributions : http://www.gnu.org/distros/free-distros.html
Unfortunately none of them is available on PPC yet.
We may try to contact them.

Hey media/design team,

I think that the image this project is going to have is very important for its success. I also think that we have the keys to make a lot of people love this computer because it will have what many others don't : digital transparency and freedom. We can add to that an amazing speed and some nostalgia with the return of the PowerPC.

In that regard, I have made a list of things to do in term of visual/communication work. I may be forgetting things so please, feel free to upgrade the list!


For promoting :

- Find a good name (all together)

- Make a logo

- Create a graphic charter

- Improve / maintain the website based on the graphic charter

- Prepare a campaign for the funding / selling

    - Make a presentation video

- Spread the word!


For the computer :

- Make a desktop picture

- Make a linux theme based on our graphical charter (optional)

Extra : Design a laptop case (if we can find a way to produce it)


The first step would be to plan some kind of project management so we'll need to define who is doing what. Just let us know the task you would like to do in here.

What about a paper based laptop?

http://www.greenlaunches.com/recycle/futuristic-recyclable-paper-laptop-design.php

I found this laptop on Crowdsupply : https://www.crowdsupply.com/purism/librem-laptop

It is the intel version of what we may achieve.
The case is very smart but it is very mac-like as well. I like it anyway. I still think that the design of the case is always very important. A good looking computer will attract more people. Especially laptops as you may use them in public places.

Merry Christmas to everyone!

I think that the first point to discuss before a good communication is to find a cool name to the computer.

We should brainstorm so I start :

One of the ideas is to have a simple name that is easy to prononce in many countries. (clear latin vowels and no tricky consonants). It could symbolise something powerful, that last long that is fun and gives freedom. I don't know much italian but an italian word would be very cool actually!

Domino
Mambo
Armonia
Zen
Zenzero (I like the word "ginger" in english)
Sogno (could be spelt SONIO or SONYO)
Mela


We could also have the word power in it to give a continuity to the powerbook :

PowerLibre
PowerFree
FreePower
LatinPower

Or to follow with "Book" :

NewBook
FreeBook
Book (It would be "The Book"!)


Give us your suggestions!

Hello,

My name is François, I am french, I live near Bordeaux in the south west of France. I am currently a freelance film director (and animator) mostly working for an independent british film company called Free Seed Films.

I used to be a mac fan at the time of 68k and PowerPC macs. I now feel pretty much betrayed by the more and more obvious planned obsolescence based business model of this company. Though, I'm still very impressed by their designers and their visual marketing. They still do a very good work in that regard.

Free software is the way I want to go now and a Gnu/Linux PowerPC is the reunion of both things I love!

I am very happy to be part of this project, in the limit of my availability (I have 2 young kids and free time is rare for me at the moment). I can do visual work for promoting the project or for the website.

Please, don't hesitate to contact me if you have any question or suggestion!

Hello all,

What about finding somebody who could 3D print the cases? I have not much knowledge about this technology so I don't know if it is doable but I just came through the idea.

We could have the design we want if we printed it ourselves.