How Do You Sell Linux Software?

smelroy asks: "My software company recently released a Linux port of our business instant messaging product, but we are not sure of the best way to sell it, since to many people selling Linux software is an oxymoron. Users on each end of the computer knowledge spectrum associate any and everything Linux with free. Even when we tried to get people to beta test it for us they said, 'It runs on Linux so why isn't it free?' Another comment from a reporter in response to our telling him of our Linux release was 'So it is open source then right?' So my question to the Slashdot community is when is Linux going to be prevalent enough on the desktop that people will pay for applications and not always assume they are free? Better yet, where are the people who feel that way now?"

Comments

Why are you surprised?

[GigsVT]

If you tell people about a Windows program, they will likely assume closed source; if you tell them about a Linux program, they will likely assume open source...

I don't see what the problem is.

If you don't want the uphill battle informing people about your product being closed source, you should just follow the Linux business model of charging only for code custimization and support.

Besides, if your product has such little value that the only money you can make from it is through restrictive licensing, you have larger problems than people assuming things about it.