Re: [ubuntu-uk] What aren't we doing? What should we be doing?
On Fri, 24 Jun 2011 20:24:51 +0100 Carlos Ferreira carlosemferre...@gmail.com wrote: The UK team should be talking to Universities and other public services, doing advocacy and trying to figure out what the obstacles to the adoption of free software are, and how they can be overcome. In fact, it's something I'd like to do myself. The problem with this idea is that you have to find somebody with influence who is willing to listen to some oik that's just wandered in off the street and is telling them their IT strategy is wrong. That's how it was described to me by a senior IT bod at a council. His suggestion was that Canonical need to be doing this sort of thing with professional 'sales' people. Also the philosophy of Open Source doesn't really wash, what’s needed is numbers in Pounds Stirling. He also pointed out that there is no single point of attack when trying to get FLOSS into these places. As an example, when he put forward Open Office. One of the excuses given was that people were familiar with Microsoft Office and that was what they got taught at college. The college says it teaches MS Office because that's what industry uses. -- Steve Cook (Yorvyk) http://lubuntu.net -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] What aren't we doing? What should we be doing?
On 25/06/11 11:45, Yorvyk wrote: On Fri, 24 Jun 2011 20:24:51 +0100 Carlos Ferreiracarlosemferre...@gmail.com wrote: The UK team should be talking to Universities and other public services, doing advocacy and trying to figure out what the obstacles to the adoption of free software are, and how they can be overcome. In fact, it's something I'd like to do myself. The problem with this idea is that you have to find somebody with influence who is willing to listen to some oik that's just wandered in off the street and is telling them their IT strategy is wrong. That's how it was described to me by a senior IT bod at a council. His suggestion was that Canonical need to be doing this sort of thing with professional 'sales' people. Also the philosophy of Open Source doesn't really wash, what’s needed is numbers in Pounds Stirling. He also pointed out that there is no single point of attack when trying to get FLOSS into these places. As an example, when he put forward Open Office. One of the excuses given was that people were familiar with Microsoft Office and that was what they got taught at college. The college says it teaches MS Office because that's what industry uses. Try: UK Government policy strategy (9 March 2011) 'Government ICT Strategy' http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/uk-government-ict-strategy-resources or shortened http://bit.ly/e6Xpb2 Download in a format of choice including 'Open Office Text' Interesting contents. Unlike the strategy on similar subject over the previous 4 years which did not get much use I think, this strategy imposes *mandatory* open standards. 'To allow for greater interoperability, openness and reuse of ICT solutions, the Government will establish a suite of agreed and mandatory open technical standards' (12 months) 'The adoption of compulsory open standards will help government to avoid lengthy vendor lock-in' 'The Government will also put an end to the oligopoly of large suppliers that monopolise its ICT provision' Also the strategy will directly affect the jobs and careers of IT senior workers: 'Government will appoint SROs with the expectation that they will stay in post until an appropriate break in the life of an ICT project/programme, to reduce the risk of project failure' Might concentrate the mind somewhat? When did you last see such words in a Government document? Also, I asked my local councillor if the (my) Council uses software libre in any form. The response at first greatly disheartened me, it referred me direct to the IT department on grounds of the Councillor's self declared ignorance. However I then was offered and accepted an invitation to be shown round IT and discovered to my delight that there was massive use of Suse Enterprise Server, everything was in VMs, and there was a known number of legacy apps held on (windows), although the office staff still mostly used xp. I then felt much better. The individual Councillor's lack of self confidence with anything computers is typical of most people. I am working on this individual . and anyone else who I can get to listen!! Marketing can be an indirect process. If every one saw or heard the word Ubuntu every day, they would begin to accept it as a normal part of life, even though they might not be using it. -- alan cocks Ubuntu user -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] What aren't we doing? What should we be doing?
The problem with this idea is that you have to find somebody with influence who is willing to listen to some oik that's just wandered in off the street and is telling them their IT strategy is wrong. You hit the nail on the head there. It's true. In their minds, why would an 'IT professional' listen to a person who more often than not is 'an enthusiastic volunteer'? A more useful way to go about promoting corporate adoption of Ubuntu may be to create a website featuring businesses and Government agencies who have *already* adopted Ubuntu. Look what Google do here with Google Apps: http://www.google.com/apps/intl/en-GB/customers/index.html The Ubuntu-UK team could make an effort to maintain something similar. It seems to me to be a more realistic and achievable objective. Businesses are much more likely to be swayed by their peers, rather than someone who has 'wandered in off the street' as you say. Chris -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
[ubuntu-uk] What aren't we doing? What should we be doing?
I've found some of the ideas brainstormed so far really useful. Also the promotional materials. In alignment with the brainstorming principles : no commitment, no judgement. I'd like to mention one that could be filed under the 'crazy' heading. With the main business and social trends currently being towards saving energy and resources. I think it could be worth discussing how Ubuntu can contribute towards this end. For example, how could Ubuntu be adapted for home business and home devices market. In alignment with the SmartGrid that is due to begin adoption around 2015 : https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Smart_grid Maybe a little ahead of time for most realists. However if Microsoft are able to connect up home devices to their PC/Wireless solutions. They could become even more entrenched in the home market. John -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
[ubuntu-uk] MeeNee Notebook preinstalled Ubuntu £225
Purchased new notebook laptop 'MeeNee' brand (?) PRE Installed Ubuntu 10.10 netbook and desktop sessions £225 :-) http://amzn.to/l8WX51 My summary of Ubuntu related things: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=10980805#post10980805 Comment: I love it being pre installed! The battery is on the small side for serious walkabout. USB x2 only, has bluetooth Slimline Thanks go to OMG Ubuntu site where I first saw it mentioned! http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2011/06/five-ubuntu-powered-netbooks-laptops-for-all-budgets Enjoy! -- alan cocks Ubuntu user -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
[ubuntu-uk] Ubuntu speaker needed for S. Wales event - DorkBot Cardiff
I gave a short talk on Ubuntu recently at a London event (Africa related) and an attendee afterwards asked if I knew of anyone who could/would speak at an event he was holding in south Wales 'DorkBot'. http://dorkbot.org/dorkbotcardiff If anyone is able and willing to talk or share stuff re Ubuntu please contact Peter phatha...@uwic.ac.uk thanks -- alan cocks Ubuntu user -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
