[Ubuntu Chicago] e-ntroduction

[RJ Marsan]

"Is there a small business version of ubuntu."
unfortunately no, theres essentially 2 versions of ubuntum (there are a few
variants but those are nothing more than graphical changes), the desktop
version and the server version.  of course both of these are well suited for
a small buisness, its just not an 'official' one.

as for the marketing techniques, the main issue I see is that the average
user will NOT feel like they wanna download a .iso off bittorrent and burn
it to a CD (and the ones who DO know how to do that most likely already have
tried ubuntu).  I believe if you give them a cd and a few good words they'll
eventually have nothing better to do.

also I was talking to Freddy about some Windows Users scripts for importing
music Etc. I'll get around to that one of these days...

anyways we need to find a few things that cost almost nothing so we can get
a sizeable group here, THEN go off and do the things that require money.

meh my 2 cents.

RJ (Red_Herring)


On 2/1/07, James Ruffer <admin at unixbox.ws> wrote:
>
> These are great points.
>
> One of the immediate things we can do is ask to be a guest on the WGN
> wed night computer support radio show.  I have burned my bridge with
> this connection but if anyone would like to be on the radio I can give
> you the contact information to try to guest.
>
> I also have a great connection at the compusa here in the Chicago area
> that might be useful on getting ubuntu on a row of machines.
>
> Is there a small business version of ubuntu.
>
> I would love to go after the business customers for the following
> solution.
> Server with file, print, webserver, email, crm and voip ready.
>
> The thing people love about the SBS 2003 is it is easy to set up and
> maintain.
> If we can show them how to install a SBS Ubuntu up to 25 users in one day
> then we will have interest.
> Here is how I would present it.  Grab a newer laptop with 2-4 gigs of ram
> run the server with vmware running 7 clients on it networked and ready to
> go.
> 5 ubuntu workstations, 1 windblows and Mac OSX.
>
>
> This we can market to not only end users but other consultants.  Not
> having to pay the
> MS licence will help small businesses with bottom line.
>
>
> Thoughts?
>
> James
>
> On 2/1/07, Patrick Green <patlgreen at gmail.com> wrote:
> > Marketing this is going to be a tricky thing. I've been a Linux
> Migration
> > consultant and tehnical writer for three years and before that I was
> > involved with a company in Lisle that made SIP based PBX boxes with a
> > heavily customized version of RHL with the 2.4 kernel.  In the latter
> > enterprise we were able to commit to conventional marketing. In my
> > operation, I am mostly a one horse show unless the job is big.  I have
> to
> > rely on a guerrila marketing approach.
> >
> > Magazine ads, a small radio spot, etc.  That is not gonna do it.  Not
> unless
> > we had the money to canvass the Chicago area in a huge way.
> >
> >
> > There are two ways to get good marketing; one involves money, the other
> > work. Since we don't have any money, we're going to have to focus on the
> > other way.
> >
> > There is a great book on the market that should be required reading
> > "Guerrilla Marketing: Secrets for Making Big Profits from Your Small
> > Business" by Jay Conrad Levinson. Levinson gives chapter and verse on
> how to
> > get your name out on a small budget.
> >
> > Some of the tips you'll find in this are similar to Levinson's tips,
> others
> > come from my experience.
> >
> > Let's start with our own members
> >
> > Many community groups rely on members.  This is one place where a group
> > should be less concerned with cost and more concerned with quality.
> >
> > Brochures
> >
> > Don't make the assumption that once a member signs on, they're yours for
> > life. If we create a brochure or flyer that includes descriptions of the
> > group and it's activities, we generate enthusiasm.  Have the brochure or
> > flyer designed, not just typed up. If we can afford it, use a
> professional
> > graphic designer to prepare our materials. If we can't spend that kind
> of
> > money, try for a trade or a sponsorship or have a member with design
> skills
> > and tools create our materials.
> >
> > Have your brochures professionally printed. Again, it's an investment
> that
> > pays off. Professionally printed materials makes a difference.
> >
> > Bulk Mailing
> >
> > Once our materials have been printed, it's time to do a bulk mailing. If
> we
> > don't have a bulk mailing permit, it's time for a trip to the Post
> Office.
> > Non-profit bulk mailing permits allow you to send out large mailings for
> > less than half the face value of a stamp. The Post Office will be happy
> to
> > help us apply for a permit and teach us how to use it.
> >
> > Keep your mailing list up to date and growing.
> >
> > Print extra brochures
> >
> > Be sure you have a hundred or so extra brochures printed for display.
> >
> > Press Releases
> > There are certain essential things that have to be in a press release:
> who,
> > what, when, where, how. The first four are pretty obvious, as is the
> last;
> > "how" is "how do I get more information ?".   The trick is to make the
> > release interesting enough to get published.
> >
> > In a press release, don't make the mistake of providing too mcuh
> > information. Tantalize, tease and generate interest. Ask questions: "Is
> your
> > PC secure? If you were audited for licensing, would you be fined?" You
> get
> > the idea. One cardinal sin here is to be dry and have no punch
> whatsoever.
> >
> > So when should we send out press releases? Every chance we get.
> >
> > Weekly papers are more likely to give us a story than the dailies.
> Weeklies
> > have more room and tend to be more community-oriented than dailies. But
> it
> > never hurts to ask. Follow up on press releases by giving a call and
> > inviting the paper to send a reporter.
> >
> > If we do end up being interviewed for a news story, remember three
> things:
> > 1) talk as though everything you say will end up in the story, but not
> > necessarily in the right order, 2) NOTHING you say is ever really "off
> the
> > record"… that just looks good on TV, and 3) you will not get to approve
> the
> > story before it is printed.
> >
> > Whole books have been written on the art of the interview, all of them
> full
> > of great advice; "don't be rushed," " think over every answer," etc. The
> > best advice in each of them is summed up above.
> >
> > Radio is a great way to get the attention of people who make decisions
> on
> > the spur of the moment. It's also a great way to create awareness. But
> > working the radio angle requires thought, ingenuity and imagination.
> > Pick your station(s) wisely
> >
> > Today there are more radio formats than ever before...Talk, Music,
> > News/Talk, Adult Contemporary, Adult Alternative, Classic Rock, Oldies,
> > Contemporary Hit Radio, Urban and many, many more. Each format appeals
> to a
> > different demographic. A little research and thought will making
> choosing a
> > radio station to work with easier. For instance, what we have is a
> little
> > cutting edge and a disruptive technology. I wouldn't recommend trying to
> > work with a conservative News/Talk station. On the other hand, a church
> or
> > dentist may be listening to easy listening and they are people who could
> > benefit from Ubuntu.
> >
> > We need to focus on trying to reach people like the ones who we wish to
> > reach, preferably in the lower age brackets of that demographic. In
> general,
> > I would focus on a 19 - 40 age bracket. This puts us looking at pop,
> > Country, College music and Classic Rock type formats.
> >
> > When thinking about radio, remember one thing: unlike television, people
> > usually listen to radio while doing other things, particularly driving
> and
> > getting ready for work or school... you have to get their attention. We
> must
> > tailor our efforts with this in mind. So how do we afford this?
> >
> > Public Service Announcements
> >
> > Radio stations are required by federal law to devote a certain amount of
> > time to Public Service Announcements (PSAs). These are free
> announcements,
> > usually read by the announcer, although some are pre-recorded.
> >
> > We can call the station or stations we are planning to use and ask about
> > PSAs. Find out what their requirements are and, most importantly, find
> out
> > who to send to it to.
> >
> > We would write the PSA as if it were a commercial, but keep it short. We
> > must make sure we have the basic information in there... Who, What,
> When,
> > Where, How. Some stations will re-write the information to their
> standards,
> > but, by giving them something more than just the basics, we can
> sometimes
> > influence how the information is presented.
> >
> > Some stations, usually the smaller ones, or the ones with a higher
> > committment to the community, will be amenable to providing studio time
> for
> > you to cut yer own pre-recorded PSA or will cut it for you. It never
> hurts
> > to ask. In that instance, write the PSA ahead of time to the length we
> are
> > asked. Make sure whoever does it reads it out loud, for timing and flow.
> > Don't abuse the privledge of using the station's studio by taking time
> to
> > write or edit copy in the studio.
> >
> > Almost forgot about one of the more interesting ways to get some
> exposure...
> > the Talk Show. Most News/Talk stations have at least one locally
> produced
> > show that might be interested in booking one of us for an appearance.
> > Stations with other formats will have some kind of community service
> forum
> > type show to meet their public service requirements, but that kind of
> show
> > usually ends up in the wee hours of Sunday mornings.
> >
> > If we do get booked on a talk show, be sure to tease rather than give
> away.
> > Tempt the listeners.... be upbeat, enthusiastic and entertaining.
> >
> > Above all else, be prepared when you walk in. You may not know what the
> host
> > is going to ask you, but you do know what you need to get out... the
> basic
> > information: Who, What, Where, When, How and how does one get
> information
> > and help. It's best to write this stuff down ahead of time and take it
> with
> > you. That way you don't get trapped with a case of the "ummms". It also
> > gives you something to leave with the host when you go, earning you at
> least
> > a few more mentions.
> >
> > Now, some of these things require Ubuntu Chicago be a official not for
> > profit. That is not too hard, but perhaps that is something Ubuntu has
> > thought of to provide?  I don't know.
> >
> > Cheers,
> >
> > Patrick
> >  ________________________________
> >
> >
> >
> > On 2/1/07, Rich Johnson <nixternal at ubuntu.com> wrote:
> > >
> > > On Thursday 01 February 2007, James Ruffer wrote:
> > > | Wanted to introduce myself.  I am a unix user and lover since 1995.
> > > | I am currently using SuSe 10 as well as Ubuntu.
> > > | My current Ubuntu is with vmware server with xp/vista/2003 server
> > > | solaris intel/mandriva/mepis and OS X.
> > >
> > > Welcome, and hello!  I see you are somewhat of an old schooler as
> well,
> > and if
> > > I am correct, my assumption would be that you are a KDE user :) as am
> I.
> > >
> > > | My skills are not only computer geek but also Sales/Marketing.
> > > | I own a computer consulting firm/Colocation and Wisp in
> > > | NY.
> > >
> > > Sounds similar to me. I am into Executive Marketing, Business
> Management,
> > and
> > > Entrepreneurship. Business is my passion as well.
> > >
> > > | I would love to contribute to this group.  Please let me know how I
> > > | may participate.
> > >
> > > Well as I am sure you are aware, there is so much you can do. Advocacy
> is
> > > probably #1 at this time. We are still somewhat wet behind the ears,
> but
> > we
> > > continue to advance every day now. There is a great diversity of
> people on
> > > the team at this time and that is what makes working with it so great.
> We
> > > would love to have you contribute in anyway that you can. Advocating,
> > handing
> > > out CDs, offering support if possible or pointing a person to an
> available
> > > support channel, or anything else you can think of. I am a horrible
> > graphic
> > > artist and I haven't seen many "graphical" contributions from anyone
> in
> > the
> > > group yet (except a few months back someone sent some really cool
> Ubuntu
> > > Chicago logos). If you have any marketing/design ideas that would make
> for
> > a
> > > great flyer the help is always needed there as well.
> > >
> > > Thanks James for contacting the list and showing interest in the team.
> You
> > are
> > > more than welcome to stay around and be a member of a wonderful
> community.
> > If
> > > you have any further questions, as I may have been pretty vague in
> this
> > > respones, please do not hesitate to contact the list. Thanks again
> James,
> > and
> > > we look forward to hearing more :)
> > >
> > > --
> > > Rich Johnson
> > > nixternal at ubuntu.com
> > > GPG Key: 0x2E2C0124
> > >
> > > --
> > > Ubuntu-us-chicago mailing list
> > > Ubuntu-us-chicago at lists.ubuntu.com
> > >
> > https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-us-chicago
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Ubuntu-us-chicago mailing list
> > Ubuntu-us-chicago at lists.ubuntu.com
> > https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-us-chicago
> >
> >
>
>
> --
> Thank you for your time.
>
> James F. Ruffer III
> MSCE, CNA, CCNA, & BSDI Administrator
> Albany, Manhattan, Chicago, Memphis and Dallas
> 1.518.271.1844  Mobile
>
> --
> Ubuntu-us-chicago mailing list
> Ubuntu-us-chicago at lists.ubuntu.com
> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-us-chicago
>
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