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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?"

4 of 407 comments (clear)

  1. make it tangible by icepick72 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    First of all the Mozilla project (for example) should produce a boxed version of their product suite. Store customers want somthing tangible. Microsoft could offer everything as downloads only, but instead they package it into a fancy box. I would suggest the cost of the open-source software should cover the packaging and that's it.

    1. Re:make it tangible by Spoing · · Score: 3, Interesting
      First of all the Mozilla project (for example) should produce a boxed version of their product suite.

      Normally, they do.

      The store is closed at the moment, though when it is open they do sell manuals, manuals with CDs, CDs, or a whole kit from the Mozilla store. I think I remember them giving discounts for bulk purchases, starting at 10 units. Wouldn't hurt to ask.

      --
      A firewall can not protect you from yourself. Turn off what you do not need. Do not use the firewall to do your work.
  2. Re:Killing the revenue stream... by miketang16 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I work for a computer repair shop, and yes we do make a lot of our money by cleaning viruses and spyware off of systems. However, we also never let a system leave our shop without it having an AV program, Ad-Aware, Spybot and MS Anti-Spyware on it. We also explain to the customers how to use them.

    The open source idea is good and whenever I work on a system I'll try to present customers with open source options.

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    "In times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act."
    -- George Orwell
  3. Re:TheOpenCD by XpirateX · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I made my own "Open CD" just for giving out to friends / family / whatever that has an assortment of my preferred OSS. It's not terribly difficult to start from scratch, and with the OpenCD, you can just go through and pick it apart to make something customized for each shop (give it branding).

    Pop in the "Store X" cd with software (and free updated cds, of course). Have a problem with one of the programs? You know who to contact.

    Earlier post with all the software from my disk.