Best way to introduce GNU/Linux
Hi, my second take on the subject is around the GNU/Linux "marketing".
I believe that this following diagram illustrate well the options we have every time we want to talk about GNU/Linux with somebody that currently don’t use it and don’t have technical knowledge of PCs and etc.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3109/...d6e45d497d.jpg
hires here: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3109/...fed629b2_o.jpg
The way I think is that if we focus on the "live" and "virtualization" modes as the introductory way to talk about GNU/Linux, we reduce and almost eliminate all initial barriers that a first-time user may have. In this sense we, introducing GNU/Linux at beginning using the "live" or "virtualized" modes, can help make it more popular because it avoids the technical needs that are part of a "dual boot" or "native HD" install.
It is not a bad idea to show to the new potential users that he/she has 4 alternative ways to "install" a new OS, and 2 of these are completely safe and very easy.
As for the virtualization mode, the VirtualBox is currently, in my point of view, the best alternative to use for such purposes.
Valter
What does "live cd" mean to a Windows person
The above discussion has been quite nice and I don't really have anything that would meaningfully add to the discussion.
However, I'd like to relate something "tangential" that happened maybe five years ago.
A fellow down in Texas(USA) spent some money advertising on radio and in the newspaper that he would give a "live cd" to anyone who requested one.
Don't know the numbers because he didn't report them anywhere that I could find, but supposedly the response was....small....
So the question that was asked by some was...
We in "Linuxland" know what a "live cd" is but probably NObody in Windblowsland knows what a live cd is.
Now.........admittedly, the term "live cd" is a cool term, that is a fack jack as Bill Murrey said in the film...
But.... maybe there might be a rethink of "terminology" and a focused effort to put adverts into "free places" such as Craig's list, local newspaper forums, yada, yada, that would use a "quick" term that is more understandable by non Linux people while still retaining the "coolness" factor.
That might help, at least somewhat, get people in the door as it were so that other factors in this thread could then help funnel them further in.
I don't intend this to be a diversion of the main thrust of the thread, which is a good discussion, it is just a comment.
woodsmoke
Re: What does "live cd" mean to a Windows person
Quote:
Originally Posted by woodsmoke
We in "Linuxland" know what a "live cd" is but probably NObody in Windblowsland knows what a live cd is.
Now.........admittedly, the term "live cd" is a cool term, that is a fack jack as Bill Murrey said in the film...
But.... maybe there might be a rethink of "terminology" and a focused effort to put adverts into "free places" such as Craig's list, local newspaper forums, yada, yada, that would use a "quick" term that is more understandable by non Linux people while still retaining the "coolness" factor.
woodsmoke
Hi.
I think you are right and this seems to be THE KEY point for GNU/Linux to appeal to the "99%" group, Windblowseans, as you put...
No matter great the technical argument might be, for the "99%" group what we should be doing is to put a great dosage of effort on the process of communication and use a "language" effective for "them" instead of a more technical arguments that is being used inside the LinuxLanders groups.
In other words, perhaps THE key question is to depart from a "technical advantage approach" to a "mundane, why not use it too"...
I think that you raised the central question.
At least in my point of view, this is where the greatest challenge is and where the effort cannot be ignored...
Valter