Getting people into Linux

Robert F. Chapman robert_chapman at maximhq.com
Thu Jan 4 00:33:09 UTC 2007


Yes, my comment about "vested interest" was also in irony.  :-)


On Wed, 2007-01-03 at 18:32 -0500, Michael Wiktowy wrote:
> On 1/3/07, Robert F. Chapman <robert_chapman at maximhq.com> wrote:
> > I have encountered these same road-blocks, as well as, the support
> > "card".  I would have to agree with the masses though, as where most
> > other consumer OS / applications are geared toward Multi-Media, and
> > Linux distributions / applications are still a bit behind in this area.
> > Out of the box, most Linux distros don't support Mpeg/MP3/Dvix etc...
> 
> I have heard this argument before but I have yet to install a Windows
> system that does much "out of the box". Maybe the Media Editions of
> Windows has extra codecs pre-loaded but the standard install is bare
> bones ... a braindead word processor, media player and image editor.
> Admittedly, all the bells and whistles can be easily found for Windows
> (mostly for a price) but they can also be found for Linux (mostly for
> free). Also, the standard Linux install comes with many many apps that
> typically get installed with no user intervention other than saying
> they want a Desktop type install. So this argument doesn't hold much
> water with me.
> 
> > If a vested interest is the issue, charge the user $300.00 for the
> > distro and put the money back into projects / marketing / support to
> > improve Linux.  Redhat already does this, but it's market is directed
> > toward SERVERS and not consumers.
> 
> I am not sure that this is the ideal solution as Linux being free (as
> in cost) is one of its many selling features. I was just pointing out
> the irony that it is also a liability in some situations.
> 
> > The best way to sway the end-user is to show them the goods.  Set-up a
> > system and show them what it can do.
> 
> Yup ... a very good plan. I keep a LiveCD with me always. It is from a
> competing distro but to co-opt a phrase: "a rising tide lifts all
> boats". Even so, it is a quantum leap between showing something
> working nicely on your system and having them allow you to do it to
> theirs due to the psychological factors I mentioned before.
> 
> *shrug* I don't have a good solution. Maybe MS will shoot itself in
> the foot with Vista causing people to be more open to alternatives
> when the are migrating from XP. I am seeing a huge flood to OSX due to
> Apple marketing though. Maybe some talented Linux advocates can make
> up some viral ads.
> 
> In any case, I feel that the solution is getting less and less
> technical and more and more political/social/psychological ... you
> know ... the typical geek strongholds. ;]
> 
> /Mike
> 




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