Reply to Message
Awesome Response!
If more Linux Users responded like that it would go far to shed some of baggage that Linux has been carrying. I would like to make a couple of comments.
Your definately right about Some of the Techs at Comp*** or Best***. I'll pose this question though (Rehtorically)if the techs that your avg user consults can't help then what is the Avg user to do? Other than go outside conventional Channels, or pay through the Nose and buy a MAC so it works with the their IPod (Joke)
Note: This is a marketing opportunity for the LINUX crowd. Quit preaching to the Choir and know your audience.
Point 2: Agreed no Holy Wars here! I have both a PC and an XBOX and am just fine with that. I have not tried the Cedega/Point 2play option so I can't comment. But now that I know I will check it out! Thanks
Points 3 and 4. True Linux has come a long way in ease of use. But in terms of sheer variety you make my case for me. the Savvy Tech can figure this out but your Average user can't. YAST/ YUM ? etc etc. Whos to know the difference? And I've found that for some of these the GUI is an afterthought or far more complex than it needs to be. I know variety is the Spice of life but conme on guys pick a team and play! And that Pesky Command line is still around Even for RPM Distros.
Case in Point. VMWARE for Linux Certainly not a Bedroom operation but its still not as easy as its Windows Counterpart. Its an RPM Install but it really isn't finished unitl I Drop to a terminal Session and run some Magic there and even then it still doesn't make an icon/shortcut for me! OK Call me lazy or whatever but I don't have to do that in Windows. (or Mac and thats BSD under the hood right?) In any case the variety is mixed and so is the Quality. Sorting Through that mess can be Daunting even for a technical user like me.
Anyways, All in all LINUX and its flavors are getting better,like I said its in the OS2 stage of Friendliness (ok maybe a little better). But while the products are getting better the people side still needs work. (Hide the ZZ-Top look alikes with Penguin Tatoos and Death to Bill Gates t-shirts that look like they need to be washed--more than once, when the press comes around OK?)
Here is where marketing Magic $$ make the Difference. Getting info out to regular users in popular trade publications. Get Professional reviews of software. Not Esoteric stuff but real day to day stuff. I can't say it enough - know your audience! Many Linux Rags and sites preach to the choir and rag too much on Microsoft or the "the Establishment" Its OK to call Bill gates the spawn of Satan on Slashdot but guess what, that doesn't play well in Peoria. they should make it a policy to ban the use of M$ and just be mature about it. The Community has to grow up, quit name calling and start focusing on the Positive Aspects of what your trying to sell. And make no mistake you are selling! Maybe some of it is free but you still to convince people of the worth of the product, not the worhtlessness of the competition (or your users).
Your post was excellent because it did just that I applaud you and thank you for it, I only hope more follow that example.
(Win those hearts and Minds you know!)
Your definately right about Some of the Techs at Comp*** or Best***. I'll pose this question though (Rehtorically)if the techs that your avg user consults can't help then what is the Avg user to do? Other than go outside conventional Channels, or pay through the Nose and buy a MAC so it works with the their IPod (Joke)
Note: This is a marketing opportunity for the LINUX crowd. Quit preaching to the Choir and know your audience.
Point 2: Agreed no Holy Wars here! I have both a PC and an XBOX and am just fine with that. I have not tried the Cedega/Point 2play option so I can't comment. But now that I know I will check it out! Thanks
Points 3 and 4. True Linux has come a long way in ease of use. But in terms of sheer variety you make my case for me. the Savvy Tech can figure this out but your Average user can't. YAST/ YUM ? etc etc. Whos to know the difference? And I've found that for some of these the GUI is an afterthought or far more complex than it needs to be. I know variety is the Spice of life but conme on guys pick a team and play! And that Pesky Command line is still around Even for RPM Distros.
Case in Point. VMWARE for Linux Certainly not a Bedroom operation but its still not as easy as its Windows Counterpart. Its an RPM Install but it really isn't finished unitl I Drop to a terminal Session and run some Magic there and even then it still doesn't make an icon/shortcut for me! OK Call me lazy or whatever but I don't have to do that in Windows. (or Mac and thats BSD under the hood right?) In any case the variety is mixed and so is the Quality. Sorting Through that mess can be Daunting even for a technical user like me.
Anyways, All in all LINUX and its flavors are getting better,like I said its in the OS2 stage of Friendliness (ok maybe a little better). But while the products are getting better the people side still needs work. (Hide the ZZ-Top look alikes with Penguin Tatoos and Death to Bill Gates t-shirts that look like they need to be washed--more than once, when the press comes around OK?)
Here is where marketing Magic $$ make the Difference. Getting info out to regular users in popular trade publications. Get Professional reviews of software. Not Esoteric stuff but real day to day stuff. I can't say it enough - know your audience! Many Linux Rags and sites preach to the choir and rag too much on Microsoft or the "the Establishment" Its OK to call Bill gates the spawn of Satan on Slashdot but guess what, that doesn't play well in Peoria. they should make it a policy to ban the use of M$ and just be mature about it. The Community has to grow up, quit name calling and start focusing on the Positive Aspects of what your trying to sell. And make no mistake you are selling! Maybe some of it is free but you still to convince people of the worth of the product, not the worhtlessness of the competition (or your users).
Your post was excellent because it did just that I applaud you and thank you for it, I only hope more follow that example.
(Win those hearts and Minds you know!)
Posted by Threv
Updated - 25th Jul 2005
