[GRLUG] Perceptions: Is Linux a suitable desktop platform?

[Tim Schmidt]

On Sat, Oct 4, 2008 at 6:08 PM, David Pembrook <david at pembrook.net> wrote:
> what bothers me I guess is there is information that can educate some of
> us that do care about the perception and promotion Linux and all you
> have to say is something negative. Did you even look at what the article
> said or just flame me? I think you were referenced in the article, but
> not by name.

I did look briefly at the article, and I stand by my response.

First of all, I support regular folk using Linux on a daily basis in a
work environment - as well as the typical home stuff.  Language like
"eventual use as a mainstream desktop environment" belies the fact
that it's already used (and has been for years) as such.

Second, in my experience, Linux (and by extension, FOSS) use is
extended in one of two ways:  It sneaks in the back door of IT
departments because it costs nothing, so there are no bothersome POs
to fill out, it gets installed in the server room, does it's job, and
is universally ignored (which is good!  It's doing it's job without
fuss).  Or, friends, family, or co-workers with computer problems or
looking for a new computer are presented with Linux as an option to
either solve their problems with an existing PC, or save them some
cash on the new one.  These days, most of those folks seem to keep
using it after it's installed.  Of course, there's a third class of
people who use Linux...  us.  But we're the least likely to be
susceptible to marketing.  We try it ourselves and use it if we like
it, don't if we don't.

None of these scenarios require marketing.

I can't think of one that does.  LiveCDs are so wonderfully useful
that when presented with one, even most typical computer users
immediately grasp their potential utility.  The software speaks for
itself, and like politics, it's best spread by personal connections.

In other words, I think you could do more for spreading Linux by
burning off 20 Ubuntu CDs and personally showing friends / family /
co-workers individually how they work in each of their PCs than if you
wrote a hundred of these articles.

Just my opinion - backed by personal experience.

If you disagree, that's fine.  We each spend our own time.  :D

--tim