How to Encourage Use of OSS?

Marc Light asks: "I repair computers as a side line cause I want to keep up on what's going on in the world of computer technicians. When someone comes to me with a problem, if I have to reinstall I first try to convince them to install Ubuntu. For now I only have 25% of success, mostly because they usually use an app. or some hardware that would complicate their experience too much. When I install Windows, I also install Firefox, OpenOffice, VLC, Winamp (not open source but if they eventually switch to Linux, XMMS won't scare them), and CDex to drive them off Windows Media Player and DRM. I then take 15 to 30 minutes free of charge to explain to them the basics of their new software. For my part, I mostly got positive response. I'd say 80% of it is positive feedback. My questions to Slashdot readers: Do you think that computer technicians can make a difference in the adoption of OSS? And if they're for OSS, should they try to put some pressure on their users/clients?"

Comments

Re:Converting

[idonthack]

You seem to have no experience with this at all. Please actually try or at least do research on the things you're talking about.

I installed Ubuntu on my sister's computer when she saw XGL running on mine and asked about it. She has a GeForce 2, which works with the legacy drivers in the repository. It does not break with kernel updates as you say it does. With Ubuntu's update manager she can perform updates by herself. She doesn't have a DVD drive on her computer, but on mine DVDs play fine, and even ignore region encoding (unlike Windows players). She thinks Shockwave games are stupid, like most people. Streaming video works fine. Her iPod Shuffle works well with Rhythmbox. Everything she wants to do is easily done, and she doesn't have to deal with the problems of Windows98 (which is what she used to have).