On Sep 02 1999, at 10:32, Rick Moen was caught saying:
> > I agree with you, but I still think it's very important to stress the
> > fact that you can find applications for Linux that perform the same
> > tasks as applications under Windows.
>
> Absolutely. My point was that you can and should go beyond that to
> showcase what Linux does especially or uniquely well. Otherwise,
> you're playing the game of proving how good an imitation you can be
> of something else, which in the end you always lose.
OK, point is well taken. I think the key is to properly balance
both of these aspects of Linux: the feautures that are unique to Linux
and those that are shared by it and competitors.
> You lose because (e.g.) the moment you finally convince someone that
> Star Office is equivalent to MS Office, he hauls out his final
> objection: "But I already have MS Office. Why should I change?"
Because it's cheaper, faster, and more stable. I think that's
a statement that does balance the unique and non-unique. The
unique aspects are that Linux is cheaper, faster, and more stable,
and the non-unique aspect is that the user has an office environment
he/she is already accustomed to.
> The way you win is to highlight differences, not similarities. The
> people whose requirement is that nothing change, have that already:
> Those are not your target audience. You want to reach the people
> who are amenable to change.
What if the people whos requirement is that nothin change just aren't
aware that there aren't any alternatives? Going back to the
misconception computer=Windows, most people don't know that there
is a choice to be made. What if by showing them the similiarties +
added benefits, you make them start thinking about the fact that
maybe their requirements aren't being completely met? E.g., I have
several friends at work and school who have lost much work under
MS Office due to the system crashing. Show them that this wouldn't
happen under Linux, and they might just give it a chance.
As for showing people SAMBA connectivity, and using Linux as a proxy,
I agree that those are also important aspects to demonstrate, but
those are things that more technical users are going to be interested
in. I think a Linux demonstration needs to cater to both the
non-technical and the technical user as they have completely
different needs for their computers. If a 18 year old computer
windows-using computer gamer with a home network saw SAMBA, ipmasq, and
other network centric features of Linux, he would be much more likely to
give Linux a try if you demonstrated the same to someone who just uses
his computer to send email and do document processing. One could
argue that someone who uses his computer for only simple tasks has
no need to switch to Linux, but I just don't agree with that.
I have switched several people who just browse the web from Linux
to Windows, and they are much happier with their computer. I think
that succesfully demonstrating Linux requires adjusting what
aspects you focus on dependend on the target user's computing
habits and technological knowledge.
> I hope I don't sound as if I'm just complaining: I really appreciate
> all the work you folks have done. I'm just trying to pass on some of
> the lessons/opinions I have from years of doing this same job locally
> here in the San Francisco Bay Area.
No, you don't sound like you're just complaining. :) The whole purpose
of this list is to share ideas on how to run effective public
Linux demonstrations. You have brought up many good points and your
experience is very welcome here.
- Deepak
--
http://www.plexity.net | 1999: Year of the Penguin | The Geeks Shall
phone:602.790.0500 | Linux Demo Day '99 | Inherit the Earth
ICQ:1774863 | |
| http://www.linuxdemo.org |
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