How To 'Sell' Open Source Software

An anonymous reader writes "Have we missed the boat in terms of selling Linux to the average Joe? The writer of this article at NewsForge certainly thinks so. He points out that most people don't yet get the idea of a free operating system, and that the best way to start winning them over is to provide free software for Windows, such as OpenOffice.org." This sentiment isn't new, but unlike a lot of commentators, the writer in this case is in a good place (as a retailer who's tried selling Linux-equipped systems) to observe the man-on-the-street reaction to Free operating systems as of 2003.

Comments

Re:I have a question

[gfody]

so is that what this free software is all about.. a bunch of people who are not professional software developers but like to dabble in code on their spare time?

I can see it now.. why pay $40k for a BMW when you can get a carnix for free?! oh sure, the carnix is designed and manufactured by mcdonald's workers on their spare time but it has four wheels and drives!