Supporting Ubuntu growth

[Anthony Yarusso]

Dave M. Sullivan wrote:
> I agree with Chris... and I'm going to use a cliche as well: you can
> bring a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.
>
> In other words, its more preferable to *show* someone Linux, and let
> them make the decision for themselves, rather than force them to use
> it. It's true, its quite a scary thing for people who aren't techies,
> or who just use their computers for surfing, email, chatting, etc.
>
> Sure, using Linux even for these things is beneficial, as you don't
> have to put up with constant error messages, spyware, viruses, and the
> like, but as similar as it is and as easy as it is, its still not
> Windows, which means its still different, and it does require some
> level of learning to understand it.
>
> For example, I installed Ubuntu on my girlfriend's computer, and
> offered her the following deal: try it for a week, and if you don't
> like it, I'll remove it. By doing this, I've  allowed her to try it
> out for herself and make her own decision. If she likes it better, she
> can keep it. If she's too used to Windows, that's fine too. You can't
> force someone to like something.
>
> Thoughts on that?
>
> Dave
>
> On 8/1/06, Chris Thompson <cthompsonx at gmail.com> wrote:
>   
>> Hmm... You wrote:
>> "Lately I've been asked to repair or update friends, neighbours etc
>> computers, it isn't difficult but I'm not a tech. "
>> A few thoughts..
>>
>> There are techies and then there are techies....I would have to say that
>> anyone who subscribes to this community is, relative to the poulation at
>> large, by definition a techie. The average computer user wouldn't know a
>> Linux kernal from Colonel Klink.
>>
>> "So I'm taking the stance that they MUST switch to Ubuntu Linux, since the
>> Windows problems have become a real pain."
>>
>> If you think supporting your Windows friends is a pain, watch what would
>> happen if you installed Ubuntu....you will become 24 hour first line
>> support, help desk, tutor, and designated scapegoat every time anything,
>> however seemingly trivial,  goes wrong.
>>
>> In providing support, whether it be for Windows or Ubuntu or whatever, I
>> would strongly recommend following the philosophy of   "give a man a fish
>> and he will eat for a day, teach him to fish and he will eat for the rest of
>> his life."
>>
>> Never just fix something under the covers.... provide guidance and only
>> guidance. Never let your fingers touch their keyboard. Help them to become
>> self sufficient.
>>
>> Same with guiding someone to linux or ubuntu - give them a Live CD, let them
>> play and decide whether they want to use it. Remember, people always go
>> through an ignorance - awareness - understanding - liking, andultimatelu\y a
>> preference cycle for anything. For the average User, an OS decision is an
>> emotional choice, not a rational one, the migration is scary.
>>
>> If you put a gun to their head - Ubuntu or no support - they might cave in.
>> I guarantee they will resent you for it and blame you (quite unjustly) of
>> course for everything and anything that ever happens to the computer. Given
>> the perverse nature of inanimate objects (as we engineers like to say)
>> things will go wrong.
>>
>> Unless of course, you want to be on call 24 hours a day providing help to
>> people who resent you being the cause of all of their problems since the day
>> they moved to linux.
>>
>> Remember, no good turn goes unpunished.
>>
>>
>> On 7/31/06, Allen Graham <allenggraham at gmail.com> wrote:
>>     
>> Hi all: we've discussed at length  spreading the penetration of Ubuntu Linux
>> at all levels in Canada. This article:
>>
>> http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2006/07/27/217270/Linux+patch+problems+Your+version+may+vary.htm
>>
>> strongly supports our efforts.  Specifically;" In this instance, Ubuntu and
>> Fedora received the highest scores overall, reflecting their tendency to be
>> among the first responders for many issues."
>>
>> Lately I've been asked to repair or update friends, neighbours etc
>> computers, it isn't difficult but I'm not a tech. So I'm taking the stance
>> that they MUST switch to Ubuntu Linux, since the Windows problems have
>> become a real pain. Forced "Updates and Upgrades"
>>
>> Your comments ?
>> Allen
>> --
>>
>>
>> --
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>> ubuntu-ca at lists.ubuntu.com
>>  https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-ca
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
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>> ubuntu-ca at lists.ubuntu.com
>> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-ca
>>
>>
>>
>>     
>
>
>   
I agree with the concept, but I think it takes more than a week to make
that decision.  I would make that deal with at least a one month time frame.

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