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Using Computer Stores to Spread Open Source?

Posted by Cliff on from the ninja-marketing dept.

DigitalRaptor asks: "I live in a small city with about 4 or 5 computer stores, most of whom I know personally. None of these stores offer Open Source software on the computers they sell (Firefox, Thunderbird, OpenOffice, etc), and none of them have anything in place to educate their customers about spyware and viruses. I'd like to approach them with all of the relevant information in a presentable format. I think this would be a great way to spread OSS and to help the average consumer at the same time. Is there a project out there for this purpose that local advocates could use to approach computer stores in their town?"

7 of 407 comments (clear)

  1. Do I smell a business model? by Txiasaeia · · Score: 3, Funny
    "Is there a project out there for this purpose that local advocates could use to approach computer stores in their town?"

    No. Please post a sourceforge link when you're done ;)

    --
    Condemnant quod non intellegunt.
  2. Tried and True method by killproc · · Score: 4, Funny
    I think that there is a more enlightened way to spread the word about OSS.

    1. First, travel to a strange town with a buddy.
    2. Dress in a white shirt (button down collar), black pants, and a black tie.
    3. Ride bikes.
    4. Go door to door asking if you can "Share the good word" about OSS.
    5. Profit!!! (Oops, wrong list...)

    --
    When you die, on your deathbed, you will receive total consciousness. So I got that goin' for me, which is nice.
  3. Knoppix and Best Buy by returnoftheyeti · · Score: 3, Funny

    I went to Best Buy with 50 Knoppix CDs and rebooted all the display computers.

  4. Marketing by willCode4Beer.com · · Score: 2, Funny

    So, you demonstrated that people buying their computers could know their hardware will work on both windows and linux.
    Looks like you are doing some good marketing on the behalf of Best Buy

    --
    ----- If communism is a system where the government owns business, what do you call a system where business owns govern
  5. uh oh by SQLz · · Score: 2, Funny
    I live in a small city with about 4 or 5 computer stores, most of whom I know personally.

    Are you THAT GUY who shows up at the local computer shops to annoy the customers and employees but never buys anything?

  6. Re:I've wanted to do this too by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    you could always just resort to wearing a big trench coat with various open soruce CS's hanging from the inside. Pssstttt hey, wanna buy some OS software.

  7. Re:Killing the revenue stream... by KarmaMB84 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Does OpenOffice have something like the MS knowledge base? That thing seems to have an answer to every problem with MS software EVER. The fact that they need a knowledge base that freaking large might be disconcerting at first, but you will be glad it's there! har....