Bytemark sponsor Ubuntu MATE

A couple of weeks ago the Bytemark Managing Director, Matthew Bloch, contacted the Ubuntu MATE team to offer free hosting for the project. As of August 18th 2016 all the Ubuntu MATE infrastucture is hosted on Bytemark Cloud Servers.

Bytemark are generously sponsoring Ubuntu MATE

Why did Bytemark make such a generous offer?

Well, it turns out they’re a bunch of good eggs who’ve been sponsoring free software projects and free culture podcasts since Bytemark was formed. Other projects currently being suported by Bytemark include Debian, LibreOffice, Kodi, Open Street Map, My Society and Code Club.

Matthew Bloch had this to say:

I’m happy to announce that Bytemark is supporting the Ubuntu MATE operating system project, which is based on a traditional computer desktop. We’re providing hosting for its community forums & wiki and bandwidth for its very popular Raspberry Pi distribution.

The MATE project’s admirable goal is “to add support for new technologies while preserving a classic desktop experience”. Ubuntu MATE combines this desktop with the well-tested OS base of Ubuntu (which itself builds on our first love Debian. All of that ensures that anyone who wants a simple computer desktop can get one, on any computer, free of charge.

Personally speaking, Ubuntu MATE feels like a great model for a free software community. They run a crowd-funding campaign and write a monthly report on exactly how those funds are spent. After paying direct costs, they pay contributors to work on much-needed features, and also to developers of other projects that they depend on. While the amounts might be small, this is uncommon ambition, and a sign of a well-managed and motivated community.

Matthew Bloch, Bytemark Managing Director.

And Martin Wimpress had this to say:

I am absolutely delighted that Bytemark reached out to Ubuntu MATE and generously offered to cover all our hosting and bandwidth requirements. We now have a resilient pair of geographically separated Cloud Servers. powering the Ubuntu MATE websites, community forums and Raspberry Pi image downloads. This will enable Ubuntu MATE to channel far more of the money raised via our crowd-funding into sponsored development of Ubuntu MATE and MATE Desktop related projects. In Bytemark we have found a company whose commitment and beliefs towards free software are aligned with our own. On behalf of the Ubuntu MATE community I extend my sincere thanks to everyone at Bytemark for their support.

Martin Wimpress, Ubuntu MATE Project Leader.

About Bytemark

Bytemark was founded with a simple mission: reliable, UK hosting. Co-founders Matthew Bloch & Peter Taphouse, both engineers by nature built the business from the ground up.

Today, they lead a team of 29 staff who operate Bytemark’s own data centre in York, monitor its 10Gbps national network and deliver 24/7 support to clients of all sizes. Brands hosted on Bytemark’s network include the Royal College of Art, data.gov.uk and DVLA Auctions.

More information about Bytemark is available online at www.bytemark.co.uk