Re: Ubuntu, SUSE, Fedora Linux updates prepped as Win7 release nears
Yes, I agree that it's a good idea to set the record straight.
However, there is an ugly truth: the wider the coverage of anything,
the more errors there are... responding to them turns into
whack-a-mole.
To combat that, what's necessary is to go beyond error-correction to
influencing perceptions widely. When perceptions are positive enough,
Fedora users will whack the moles themselves, and clueless
commentators will educate themselves or lose credibility.
A key way to influence perceptions is to cultivate journalists. Nobody
likes to admit they made a mistake. Journalists get called clueless
and worse every day of the week, like everyone they generally accept
constructive criticism though. In this connection, Bob's comment was
exemplary: he politely set the record straight.
What I'm saying is, make changing perceptions part of the plan.
Although the media usually wish to present accurate information, what
they really want is accurate information which is also timely,
interesting, and topical. This is where press releases can play a
major role. Many journalists with 4 stories to file in the day will be
happy to quickly adapt a well-written release and put it up. When that
happens, you've made news, not reacted to it. Over time, awareness
rises within influencers, and next thing you know, most of them will
be able to write from memory that there are two Fedora releases per
year for example. Or whatever branding message you wish to spread -
that Fedora is high-quality, installs easily, etc.
Journalists know that Windows 7 is make-or-break for Microsoft; just
look how MS is taking risks they haven't before such as selling PCs
for the first time ever and painting all their national websites
green. The WinXP -> Win7 upgrade path is wipe and install... the same
as most WinXP -> GNU/Linux installs. So journalists know that now is
perhaps a better time than ever to talk about alternatives. When
Constantine launch time comes, perhaps a talking point to consider
beyond the great features is how upgrading to Fedora can be a better
choice than upgrading to Windows 7.
Sean
On Thu, Oct 22, 2009 at 5:21 PM, Larry Cafiero <larry.cafiero(a)gmail.com> wrote:
On Thu, Oct 22, 2009 at 8:04 AM, Robert 'Bob' Jensen
<bob(a)fedoraunity.org>
wrote:
>
> I feel we have an obligation to correct inaccuracies if we truly care
> about the Fedora product and/or Fedora Project. If we do not speak the truth
> the lies themselves become truths in the minds of many. I personally care
> about the Fedora product more so than gaining 'new consumers' from the
> Windows market. Retaining our current consumers/contributors is more
> important than courting new consumers for me. If they come they come
> willingly the best we can do is put the truth out there and let them decide.
> We are going to gain new consumers even if they are temporary, provided the
> correct information is published for them to even take a look.
Bob is right. We have an obligation to correct inaccuracies in the media.
What's astounding about this is the article, from established ZDNet bloggers
whose "beat" is Linux and Open Source, is completely inaccurate. It speaks
to several issues, but primarily this: How do two established Net writers
who cover Linux and Open Source NOT know the release cycles of major
distros? What's more -- and it's a stretch, but still arguable -- what's to
say Microsoft didn't plan its release of Windows 7 to blunt that of Ubuntu
9.10 (and Fedora 12 for that matter)?
Providing accurate information is the media's job. Correcting them when
they're wrong is ours.
Larry Cafiero
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