Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

How To 'Sell' Open Source Software

Posted by timothy on from the infiltration-seems-to-work dept.

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.

12 of 490 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Its so simple... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    That's GNU/blowjobs you insensitive clod!

  2. Re:But Windows is $200 retail by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    You mean I'm the only idiot that paid for Windows?

  3. Re:But Windows is $200 retail by BiggerIsBetter · · Score: 4, Funny

    You mean I'm the only idiot that paid for Windows?

    No wonder you posted anonymously...

    --
    Forget thrust, drag, lift and weight. Airplanes fly because of money.
  4. Well, duh by Faust7 · · Score: 5, Funny

    how do you pay your bills?

    We sell our virile bodies on the streets. Obviously.

    --
    The coolest voice ever.
  5. Re:How to buy open source software... by Eese · · Score: 2, Funny

    The funny thing is, I was just whoring a quick comment to get the first post, and that was the first thing I thought of after reading the article title.

  6. Re:Thats what actually made me install linux by Malcontent · · Score: 3, Funny

    " they don't know enough and would rather be able to call up microsoft when something goes wrong"

    Has anybody ever witnessed this phenomenon? I hope one day an intrepid explorer captures an actual home user calling microsoft for help and getting it. We could put it on the discovery channel right after the hunt for the giant squid.

    --

    War is necrophilia.

  7. Re:Remember "Find a need, and fill it" ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Friends, we should not be looking for mass adoption.

    The motto of Linux is "World Domination." If you can't get that simple concept through your head, then go find another community to hang out it.

  8. The Linux Solution to Marketing by luekj · · Score: 2, Funny

    root@id1: su Microsoft

    ...profit!!!!!

    You could actually take that one literally or phonetically, the outcome would be the same...

    Another hillarious post.

    --
    Many Thanks,

    Luke

  9. Re:Thats what actually made me install linux by Alien+Being · · Score: 2, Funny

    I placed a call to MS support for install help with Windows 3.0 and I'm still on hold.

  10. Re:Linux business model by Magic+Thread · · Score: 3, Funny

    8. Parent is a troll
    9. ???
    10. Mod parent down

  11. Re:I don't know about selling... by tcdk · · Score: 2, Funny
    Because the choice given to the user in this instance is:
    Do you want either: X, Y or Z?

    Please note that your choice will have a big inpact on your future. Sorry, no further help is available on what X, Y or Z actually and you can not open a browser window and investigate before you choose. Please note that making the wrong choice could render you impotent.
    --
    TC - My Photos..
  12. Get a job? by JCMay · · Score: 2, Funny
    I make almost 3 figures

    You make less than $100 a year? Wow. You've got to be pretty smart to live on that little. :^)

    I work for one of the big computer companies. Our department's system admin reports to me

    You're some kind of manager and you make less than $100 per year? Wow!