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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?"

9 of 407 comments (clear)

  1. Killing the revenue stream... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    They make money cleaning spyware and viruses off computers. Why would they educate their users about them?

    1. 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.

      --
      -------
      "In times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act."
      -- George Orwell
  2. 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 NitsujTPU · · Score: 4, Insightful

      If you charge consumers the price of packaging, then that is what they will feel it is worth.

      Toss in a manual or something, make the box a little heavier, charge the printing cost, and you get a bit of free advertisement as well (and heck, you know that people might buy the box just to get the manual).

      Now, toss in a bit on top for the Mozilla project, the FSF, the Apache Foundation, or whoever is selling the software, and you have something that is eye catching and benefits us all.

      It's funny how people reject a cheap or free product as crap, but you know that they do.

  3. TheOpenCD by slavemowgli · · Score: 4, Informative

    Have you checked out TheOpenCD? That one contains a number of well-known and useful open-source applications for Windows; it should be easy to make (possibly customized) copies of that one to include with new computers, for example.

    --
    quidquid latine dictum sit altum videtur.
  4. Why? by NineNine · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Why would the stores listen to you or care? Honestly, Slashdotters (admittedly, like most people) have no clue what it takes to run a successful business. Independent computer stores have been hit very hard by the fact that geeks have no loyalty, and shop mainly at big box stores, and generic online merchants (tiger direct, etc). The *only* way that the few remaining independent computer stores, which are already probably struggling, will even begin to listen is if you have a way for them to improve their bottom line. Bottom line.

    Ideals about "Freedom" don't really matter to people if you can't pay rent. You'd do well to remember that before you started preaching to them about how they should run their business.

  5. I've wanted to do this too by LoTonah · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I work in a computer store, but the position of management (and it's been similar at a lot of stores I've visited or worked for) is that they don't want to push/give OpenOffice because they don't make money on it. In the retail market, it seems like value-added services don't matter anymore...if there isn't a profit to be made, it won't be touched.

    Same goes with programs like AVG, Spybot, etc...we use the utilities in the service department as part of our spyware/virus cleaning services, but that's as far as it goes.

    Trust me, I'd love to load our systems with Firefox, Thunderbird, OpenOffice, etc., but the retail culture here doesn't allow it!

  6. the Windows Toolbox by thegoldenear · · Score: 4, Informative

    the Windows Toolbox - http://thegoldenear.org/ - all the software on one CD

  7. 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.