Introducing GNU/Linux Via Applications

An anonymous reader writes "A common problem with GNU/Linux for new users is not the operating system, but the switch in applications they must undertake to use it. Many who try to make the switch have little experience with the common open source applications available under GNU/Linux. The Kutztown GNU/Linux User Group, in Pennsylvania, is helping to change that on a large scale by distributing open source applications to faculty on Microsoft Windows machines first. Instead of selling GNU/Linux, the group is selling open source. Faculty at the school have been provided discs containing a number of popular open source applications compatible with Windows as part of a larger program to get more users to consider switching operating systems."

Comments

Sure that'll work

[stratjakt]

*not*

Why do you think people will "switch"? If someone has a PC on their desk that runs Windows and MS Office, what makes you think you're going to get them to flatten it and restart with linux? It's paid for, it's done.

If you want to increase linux' and OSS's presence, it needs to ship on the box. Don't expect Dell, HP, Compaq, etc to do this for you. The fact they don't shows there's no demand. The fact that everyone who's tried to provide this has failed speaks for itself.

The masses just dont want it.

It's hard to convince people to rebuild their perfectly functional computer, with a less capable alternative, based purely on the philosophy of "MSF is evil its not Free".

What is with the GNU tag?

[shaitand]

People keep referring to Linux and Linux-based distributions with this 'GNU' thing in the name? What's up with that?