[ubuntu-uk] we suck or we just act differently?

[alan c]

gord wrote:
> Taken from the latest ubuntu weekly news.
> 
> """
>  * The Serbian Team has close to 1000 members. Articles written by the
> team have appeared in several magazines and a member was on a TV show
> with national coverage and gave away CDs to the audience. The team has
> held an install fest and participated in the Free Software Network
> Serbia festival. 85 members of the team are also part of the Serbian
> translation team. The forum is very active and has been successful in
> attracting new users and supporting them.
> https://wiki.ubuntu.com/SerbianTeam
> """
> 
> So I'm just wondering why is it that we can't boast like they can? I'm
> not blaming anyone or saying we aren't effective enough but is it just
> me that feels like for a loco team we are kinda small perhaps (small may
> be the wrong word, just small relative to the potential we have in the
> UK.), more like a community of people who use and support Ubuntu in
> their own ways maybe.. Thoughts and suggestions?

Most people I talk to already have windows and could not care less, 
they are busy and use the PC like a piece of household equipment. As 
long as it works ok, good, or, they get a friend to fix it or buy 
another. Only if that friend is me do they get to know about K/Ubuntu. 
I am unlikely to fix it because I 'dont use windows now'. 'Oh? What do 
you use?......

I applaud the media event. The BBC have had a 30 minute broadcast 
about Open Source in April and a very recent Click was heavily about 
Ubuntu. I see a reaction to that at my Infopoint displays (bracknell) 
- some people mention they did not know before about this 'something 
unusual'.

I think in UK most people are not hungry for change. Contentment, (and 
complacency) maybe, busy and full life, complex demanding lifestyle 
fueled by media advertising and 'News'. Freedom ware is not News. 
Freedom is boring, unless you loose it, then it is too late, and hard 
work to regain).

On the bright side I am finding a small but increasing take up of my 
leaflets locally (a few shops), a flurry of new interest from non 
techie people (at Infopoint displays) and several local computer 
related clubs are keen to ask me to talk about Open Source. The local 
College is heavily committed to ms (wall to wall ms)(but did gladly 
accept  some CDs for end of term student project  :-) ) and the adult 
learning centre (relevant teacher) has a career interest only in ms 
and proprietary apps - an exception was Gimp (windows). They do 
happily accept leaflets for their leaflet shelf though, and they do 
get taken by attenders.

In summary I think UK is simply not *seeking* change and is motivated 
most easily only by advertising or media or events.

I believe my local area is *ready* for a town centre or street event 
and if a few of us could do something, it would be great! (The more 
eye catching or fun, the better).
-- 
alan cocks
Kubuntu user#10391