I agree there's a lot of problems with unpaid internships and work and such, but I don't think this is that bad?

It feels like "hey, if you really like our product and want to show it off, we can send you information and merch, and put you in touch with higher ups."

I'd complain if Microsoft or Google started doing this, because they are huge megacorps with deep pockets, but Framework seems like a small company that can't really afford huge marketing departments. If people want to devote their time to a cause they beleive in, more power to them.

They also aren't doing it with the promise or threat of something, which is an issue with a lot of unpaid work. The people they're targeting know exactly what they are getting into, and that they are doing it for their own reasons.

Unpaid Linux ambassadors? Isn't that just Lemmy?

Like many others, I have mixed feelings on this. If anyone is stopping by and doesn't want to read through the linked forum thread, this is frameworks goal:

This isn’t a program to get people to go to conferences and rep Framework, it’s a program to give people who are already going to conferences and showing off their Framework some swag and opportunities to talk with the team. It’s not assigning work, it’s just saying thank you to people who are excited about Framework and active in the Linux community.

From my read, this is not even for marketing, but mainly for feedback to improve framework products. Framework will also have merch packages for the ambassador.

These ambassadors would attend linux conferences anyways, framework just want them to communicate to frameworks when anyone have any feedback.

I am okay with this.

I can understand why this may be a issue to some people. I think if they asked Windows users this, there wouldn't be as much of a strong reaction to this. Maybe it comes off as exploiting the good will of the Linux community, but I can't read minds.

I'm personally ok with this. If someone willingly volunteers and enjoys doing this, then what's the problem? But again, I'm not sure if that's the core issue at hand here.

What I feel would be acceptable:

If you're proud of your Framework laptop and want to brag about it, we'll give you some swag for free that you can show off with when you're out and about!

What this looked like to me:

If you're attending a conference we'd be paid to attend, but can't go to, will you show off your Framework laptop to attendees in an effort to convince them to buy one from us too, and we'll send you some stickers?

The issue isn't even what they're asking for, but how their asking it.

I thought that there was no way this was unpaid and that the ambassadors would get Framework tech. Nope. You have to already own it. Doesn’t even seem like it comes with a discount even?

I am a product “ambassador” for several things in the gaming world. I get access to new things earlier and at a discounted rate. I get free promotional items that actually have some value. I sometimes get a per diem if I do certain events. I feel valued. I don’t get that vibe at all from this.

If you're working for a privately owned for-profit corporation, you're not a volunteer.

Send me a laptop and I’ll spend a few hours a week helping on your forums or even tickets. But no one should work for free

Two rules:

1. Don't talk to the police
2. Fuck you, pay me.

They could've worded it better, and make it clearer in the first couple of sentences that this is intended for owners of FWs who already go to these events.

I had bigger issues with, say, Ubisoft and JGL getting artist to work for exposure on Beyond Good and Evil 2 back when that was a thing.

But I also 100% that it feels like asking for free labour, intended or not.

I have a Framework 13" DIY running Linux. It is functional. I am reasonably confident I will be able to buy replacements for anything that breaks which is important to me. It is well designed for repair and upgrade but other devices offer better price/performance/features. If you are on a tight budget and care about the environment buy used.

There's nothing wrong with volunteering with a FOSS project

Hm. I don't have anything against volunteer roles (there's a difference between volunteer roles and "unpaid work", "unpaid work" implies a form of coercion—if it's a volunteer role you can say no with no punishment or consequence), but the way it's described, e.g. the implied expectation of conducting yourself professionally at Linux conferences, makes it sound like it will have quite a bit more responsibility than most volunteer roles in the Linux community. And Framework isn't a nonprofit; they produce and sell commodities, so they should be able to pay their own workers.

I'm not rioting over it, I don't ultimately care too much and if people want to volunteer for this role that's their choice. I think I'd prefer they paid these ambassadors but ultimately if you don't want to do this for free there's not really anything coercing you into doing it, so.

I think the "Showcasing Framework Laptops" is what rubs me the wrong way. I like the idea of trying to get feedback and learn the need of real linux users but anything that qualifies as marketing should be paid.

I don’t have a Framework Laptop, can I still apply?

Our ambassadors need to be active users and owners of Framework Laptop(s)

That's pathetic. In place of financial compensation, the least they could do is to give Framework notebooks away. Doesn't even have to be a gift right away. There could be strings attached. "On loan first but you can keep it after X amount of time."

This involves travel. I don't know of anyone who is willing to leave their day job and just travel out of pocket without any compensation. I like the company, but this is doable if you're a YouTuber maybe? I don't see anyone doing it, honestly.

I'll do it for a free laptpp

"We'd love to not pay you for labor!!!"

:)