J_K9 @ Linux

Raising Linux Awareness

April 1, 2007 on 12:52 am | In Linux, Realistic Ideas |

One of the main problems facing GNU/Linux (henceforth referred to as Linux) is that it simply is not known by the majority of the computer-literate users in this world, and is used on a daily basis by even fewer. It is an excellent Operating System which can satisfy the needs of most demographics bar certain specialised ones, such as gamers, so there is nothing stopping it from hitting the mainstream except marketing funds. You know what? These might not be needed.

Apple has a brilliant marketing strategy: it spreads advertisements depicting Windows as a businessman’s Operating System and Mac OS X as the cool, young person’s OS. You see these ads online, on TV, in cinemas, on billboards, everywhere. This is part of the reason that they are converting more and more people every year (and selling more and more Macs) – they are letting their potential customers know that there is a better alternative to Windows available. [We’ll forget the iPod advantage for now.]

That is what Linux and those who drive it need to do: we need to raise awareness and let the world know that there is a completely free, better, more powerful OS than Windows available. Novell has done a great job with their Apple-like marketing videos (see the ‘PC Mac Linux’ series under BrainShare 2007), but I doubt that we will see those ads in public places anytime soon. So, we Linux users need to take action.

We all lead very busy lives, but sometimes we like to give up some of the little free time we have to help others and perhaps present them with a new way of doing something which they have always done but a way which is better and more cost-effective in the long-run. I am calling on you to do the same.

Many of us live in apartment or housing complexes in which our residence is one of many, perhaps sharing a communal pool or garage. I do. In a few days, I shall be publishing an image which you can scale, edit and print (in A4 or A5) as a single page flyer as you see fit. This image will inform any passers-by who happen to spot the advertisement that there is a way of saving money which they will never regret, allowing them to do what they have always done and more without having to pay a penny. All you need to do is copy your details down onto it and put it on any noticeboards in the complex. It’s that simple.

What is the point?

That’s a ridiculous idea! How can one person possibly make a difference? Very easily. Your ad will, depending on the size of your housing complex, eventually be read by several dozens of people, several of whom will be pleased by the idea of this cost-effective solution and who may call you or email for more information.

Yes, it’s true: this may take up a few more hours of your week. Not only will you have to meet them, run a live CD on their computer to test that Linux will work on it and with any existing network facilities without a problem but you will also have to give them a tutorial on how to use their new OS, answer any questions they might have and possibly go over to help them out a few days later when they are stuck and have no idea what to do. I never said it was easy, but as long as you let them know of the risks involved and how to seek help for any problems (LQ, a local Linux User Group, etc) in advance then there should be few, and hopefully no problems.

Other methods have been attempted to bring Linux into the mainstream, and while some believe that Linux is not a valid contender on the desktop scene I do think it is and I am willing to set aside a few hours per week in order to prove that belief. However, you’re going to have to help me – this is a completely “bottoms-up” approach and one of us alone will have little effect. On the other hand, there’s no limit to the awareness a group of us could raise, so let’s get that fire burning!

32 Comments »

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I agree it is important to evangelise , in my case it involves offering linux to my friends as an alternative and installing it for them.
After al the alternative is supporting their windows installations and linux results in less work for me and a less buggy system for them.

Comment by Bert Higgins — April 1, 2007 #
Using Mozilla Firefox 1.5.0.10 on Linux
I just want to share this. Here in the Philippines, we have active Linux groups sharing ideas and their love for Linux as well as promoting its use. But these people, I presume, as I do, have different reasons for deciding to install, tweak, and use their Linux boxes: geek adventure and the joy of being in total control of one’s desktop PC. I say this because software piracy is so rampant here that Internet cafe’s raided yesterday will suddenly go full-Linux, wait a month or less when the software heat has died down, and return to installing pirated software. CDs with cracked pirated software are so cheap here that offered a stable and free OS, common folk will look at you like you’re crazy. Why go through the pains of engaging in something unknown and which doesn’t have the applications and games they are familiar with, rather than use a familiar product like Windows? Born and raised in and by Windows, our common folk here have embraced the “fact” that crashes and viruses are a way of life. Software piracy is a non-issue for them, as efforts here to curb piracy are weak. And if they really want a “stable” OS (oops, most of them don’t know or care about what an OS is) they just need to call up a nearby technician, in one of those Internet Cafes, to install them all the apps, codecs, and anti-virus software they ask for.

The momentum that software piracy has created here is too much to oppose, at least in my country. If Linux is going to offer itself as a better platform, then information campaigns promoting or at least introducing it will take a very long time to grow, from seed to sapling.

Perhaps in a country where use of illegal software is punishable, and where illegal software are not as accessible as they are here in my country, a movement to offer a stable and free OS is worth the call to arms. After all, the reason Windows is costly is that it is NOT WORTH THE PRICE compared to the costs of maintaining it and the stability if offers. By contrast Linux and ‘Nix-like systems are more stable and costs nothing and offers alternative apps to those offered in Windows. Problem is, as is with my country, Windows is practically free compared to the genuine software and worry-free compared to the perceived hassles of installing and tweaking Linux. So folks here will go for the familiar OS and embrace instability and viruses and crashes, and allot money to pay for the services of a technician. (The teenager manning the nearby Internet cafe can save your files when your Windows flatlines, but he know squat about Fedora Core, Ubuntu, or Open Suse.)

Sad, but this is the way things are, as I see it, in my country. Meanwhile, semi-geeks like me will continue to download Live CDs (for fun) and continue to tweak his PC, which dual boots into Windows and a distro of choice.

I hope that was a little enlightening. I love Linux, but I also have my feet on the ground.

Comment by Ayen — April 1, 2007 #
Using Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.3 on Windows XP
We’re holding introductory Linux lectures man

Comment by Naresh Venkteshappa — April 1, 2007 #
Using Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.3 on Linux
I think this is an intriguing idea, and I agree that Linux needs more exposure. I am still trying to decide what distro would be best to replace Windows for most regular folks. Right now, I am using PCLINUXOS on my Dell laptop. BUT, most Linux people I talk to are not concerned in any way with spreading Linux to the masses. When I mention to these folks that most people would not want to give up videos on CNN, or Youtube, they are often appalled! However, there are many of us dedicated to trying to find a good Windows replacement for our long suffering friends..

Comment by Arlen Owens II — April 1, 2007 #
Using Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.1 on Linux
LOL…

Welcome to my world. Where have you been? You might want to catch up at http://blog.lobby4linux.com.

Not been there, done that…

Am There, Doing that. Look at what we’ve done, the response we’ve gotten (or better, haven’t gotten) and email me when your ready to talk. Things are afoot you might want to know about.

helios

Comment by helios — April 2, 2007 #
Using Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.3 on Linux
I have a few people here who still think that Linux is a company…

Actually the direct sell approach doesn’t work at all with Linux. We need to be innovative and think of highly creative and different ways to promote Linux and not by the usual evangelizing approach which turns off the listener almost immediately.

Comment by hari — April 2, 2007 #
Using Mozilla 1.8.1.3 on Debian GNU/Linux
Ayen - Thank you for that insight. In a country rife with software piracy I’m not sure what exactly can be done to move people from Windows to Linux… After all, if they are offered the choice of a near-free version of what they’re used to and a completely free version of something they’ve never used before and will have trouble adapting to, which will they choose?

Naresh - Great! Keep those up

Arlen - It is not that I am concerned about the [slow?] uptake of Linux by desktop users. I just think it’s a shame to see them paying for Windows Vista, whether it be for an off-the-shelf copy or one which came with their PC when they can get an OS which is just as good for free, and which can be kept as cutting-edge as possible for no extra cost. It is this fact, I believe, which will convince people to use Linux. There has to be a clear advantage to counter the temporary compromise of productivity associated with the adoption of a new Operating system.

helios - Ken, I read your blog quite regularly and I know that you’ve tried similar approaches (such as radio broadcasts). However, two preachers are likely to be heard by a greater crowd than one

hari - That is true. I do think that we’d reach some people in this way, although perhaps not as many as we’d like. What other methods would you propose? How about displaying a recurring penguin theme in different places (internet, adverts, etc) and eventually, after a few weeks, explaining what the penguin represents?

Comment by J_K9 — April 2, 2007 #
Using Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.2 on Ubuntu Linux
The biggest problem is that people are still having difficulty understanding the concept of Linux as a “community” project rather than a corporate one. We need to focus on that aspect I think.

Apart from that, I think companies like Red Hat and IBM are already marketing Linux to their own target audience, so that’s one aspect of it.

Linux is getting into the mainstream consciousness. Slowly, but surely.

Comment by hari — April 2, 2007 #
Using Mozilla 1.8.1.3 on Debian GNU/Linux
I agree - far more people have heard of Linux these days than used to be the case, which shows that companies like Red Hat and IBM as well as individuals are doing a good job at promoting Linux. I would also agree about the difficulty for the layman of grasping the concept of Linux as an open project as opposed to the proprietary products which they are used to, so some work also needs to be done in this area.

Now we just need to think of something to tackle these problems

Comment by J_K9 — April 2, 2007 #
Using Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.2 on Ubuntu Linux
Linux means freedom for everyone

Communisium means freedom for everyone

Therefore, Linux is Communism!

On a serious note, linux penetration is being held back by three types of people:

1. People don’t know about linux

2. People know about it, but think its to much hassle/don’t see the point/want to game

3. People who actively hate linux (and I have met them.) They are the morons to which linux ‘destoryed’ their hard drive, and the ones who think that linux is being used only for l33t haxx0rs. People like this:

You are kidding arent you ? Are you saying that this linux can run on a computer
without windows underneath it, at all ? As in, without a boot disk, without any
drivers, and without any services ? That sounds preposterous to me. If it were
true (and I doubt it), then companies would be selling computers without a windows.
This clearly is not happening, so there must be some error in your calculations.
I hope you realise that windows is more than just Office ? Its a whole system
that runs the computer from start to finish, and that is a very difficult thing
to acheive. A lot of people dont realise this. Microsoft just spent $9 billion
and many years to create Vista, so it does not sound reasonable that some new
alternative could just snap into existence overnight like that. It would take
billions of dollars and a massive effort to achieve. IBM tried, and spent a
huge amount of money developing OS/2 but could never keep up with Windows.
Apple tried to create their own system for years, but finally gave up recently
and moved to Intel and Microsoft. Its just not possible that a freeware like
the Linux could be extended to the point where it runs the entire computer from
start to finish, without using some of the more critical parts of windows. Not
possible. I think you need to re-examine your assumptions.

Comment by Gunny — April 3, 2007 #
Using Mozilla Firefox 2.0 on Ubuntu Linux
Wow.. That certainly is a closed-minded individual!

As for the types:

1. We can educate them about Linux - not a problem, but not a simple task either.

2. More difficult… Some of these we can educate and persuade, but others (such as gamers) are lost causes.

3. These we cannot convince, but others can. If Linux DOES become a mainstream OS used by millions of people, then will these people begin to understand just how good an OS Linux is.

Comment by J_K9 — April 4, 2007 #
Using Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.3 on Ubuntu Linux
Mmmm. The key is getting linux installed and working. Provided they are not a gamer, they’ll probably stick.

Same deal with switching to Mac: most people stick with it after the switch. They key is the installed and running part. Mac has the advantage here cos it’s dead easy to install: you just need cash!

I think we need to get Windows user before the Mac-o-philes can get there hands on them.

Comment by Gunny — April 4, 2007 #
Using Mozilla Firefox 2.0 on Ubuntu Linux
That’s true… Although you don’t even need to install OS X - it comes pre-installed on super-expensive computers for you Hehe.

Let’s see what effect Dell has with its introduction of Linux-running computers for the general public. After that, by looking at Dell’s failures and successes, we may be in a better position to judge which method of marketing Linux works best

Comment by J_K9 — April 4, 2007 #
Using Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.3 on Ubuntu Linux
hehe.

It’s kinda embrassing for such a linux junky to say, but I may well be getting a Macbook.

Comment by Gunny — April 5, 2007 #
Using Dillo 0.8.5
Well I hope you put Linux on it too! Hehe!

Comment by J_K9 — April 5, 2007 #
Using Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.3 on Ubuntu Linux
Yeah: I just need to know that I can put it back if I mess it up

The only question now: black or white?

Comment by Gunny — April 11, 2007 #
Using Mozilla Firefox 2.0 on Ubuntu Linux
I believe the black one is more powerful… It’s up to you in the end.

A Mac

Comment by J_K9 — April 11, 2007 #
Using Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.3 on Ubuntu Linux
You can config a white one up to black standards and it’s about $50 cheaper.

It depends how much my loving, kind, wise and considerate parents chip in…;)

Hopefully, I’ll have Ubuntu running on a black mac soon…

Comment by Gunny — April 12, 2007 #
Using Mozilla Firefox 2.0 on Ubuntu Linux
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