<div>On 2/13/07, Philip Wyett <<a href="mailto:philip.wyett@gmail.com">philip.wyett@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;"> <div>On 12/02/07, James Tait <<a href="mailto:james.tait@wyrddreams.org" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> james.tait@wyrddreams.org</a>> wrote:</div><div><div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;"> Robin Menneer wrote: > You also need to carefully define your target eg the huge population of > semi-bored computer-illiterates might be more productive than > experienced-with-windows men-in-the-street ? You may very well be right.  I think especially with people who are not already seasoned/regular computer users and are just deciding to venture in to this brave new world and buy a PC at home for the first time, one very important question they will ask is "What do you use?", shortly followed by "Why?".  I think this type of campaign would be particularly effective for these people. That's not to say that I don't think it has a potential audience among the Windows-faithful.  I still believe that Vista is an opportunity for Ubuntu to come to the fore, with people who would normally have said "I'm buying a PC, therefore I'll get/need a copy of Windows" now pausing for a moment to consider the alternatives.  Again, such a campaign would, I think, prove effective.  I do have regular Windows users asking me about Linux and I'm more than happy to tell them what it is and why I use it.  It hasn't yet resulted in any full-blown conversions, but the message is beginning to get across. > And once they get the > message, they will tell their grandchildren. Indeed.  Up until now, conventional wisdom has suggested that having a PC means running Windows.  With more visibility to those not already acquainted with FLOSS and more positive association, I think we will see a snowball effect. JT </blockquote></div><div> Promoting GNU Linux I've always found to be on a case by case basis with most even after discussion preferring to stick with the devil they know. Over the years I have had success with complete converts and limited success with others, getting them to use apps like Firefox and Open Office on their Windows machines. Best success I've found is appealing to peoples wallets, security benefits and showing people the alternate day to day apps for web browsing, office work, email, chat etc. that they would get on a GNU Linux system; the fact the Ubuntu desktop looks nice and is simple eases a lot of peoples fears and helps with making people comfortable. Though I will note that I do drop the default panel layout and change it to be more Windows with a single panel at the bottom of the screen. Vista I do not see as that much of an opportunity but a greater threat to GNU Linux than XP was. I currently run two Vista systems and both are very good and stable. One thing that does erk me sometimes is people who push the thousands of apps in the repositories when most normal folks only use a small core of applications. A real annoyance is when people fire up synaptic and see what are quite frankly rubbish descriptions for apps and libs etc. that sometimes leave even me wondering what the hell is that really. Regards Phil </div> </div> -- <a onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="mailto:ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com">ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com</a> <a onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk" target="_blank"> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk</a> <a onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="https://wiki.kubuntu.org/UKTeam/" target="_blank">https://wiki.kubuntu.org/UKTeam/</a> </blockquote> </div>One thing I have learnt is not to go on to much, shut up and listen! It's amazing as a salesman I know all of the tricks of the trade but just as soon as I start to talk about Linux I revert to a babbling ubber geek and scare them off... Listen to their concerns with Windows, making a mental note. The normal check list, Virus, spyware, trogens... High maintenance, defrag, scanning and such not forgetting, Big Brother, US capitalism, anyhow you know the list. Explain that there are alternatives and that there have always been alternatives. Explain what "Free" means when talking about software and why people become involved. (Beer and speech) With ubuntu we have the "Mark Shuttleworth story" and the whole ubuntu movement. Sorry to say this, but there is a whole group of people that will respond to this once they "get it". Because if we like it or not ubuntu appeals to middle class Britain in the same way that Live8 did. The same people that buy Fair-Trade coffee and hand made wholemeal bread... You know the type. Some of us are here because we are hobbyists, some are here because of frustration. There are people that use Linux because of a moral position! With ubuntu we have the greatest opportunity to get Linux on the desktop of every well meaning, middle class, tree hugger in the country... Don't just buy a goat for Christmas, install ubuntu and get rid of that nasty virus ridden symbol of US capitalism. Not an argument that will work with all people but if you get the right type of person it works a treat! -- Regards Steve Morrish... AKA Pendragon ICQ 112 044 096