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Linux Foundation Asks Who Says "I'm Linux" Best

Posted by timothy on from the creepy's-definitely-the-way-to-go dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Everyone has seen Apple's clever 'I'm a Mac' ads, and Microsoft's attempted responses, first with Jerry Seinfeld, and next with 'I'm a PC.' The Linux Foundation tries to fire back with its community-generated 'We're Linux' video contest: all of the eligible videos have now been submitted and are ready to be voted on. Thankfully, the quality of Linux is much higher than the quality of some of these entries: entries range from the hilarious but inappropriate, to the well-made but creepy, to the 'I'm sure it sounded good in your head.' Thankfully, there are one or two that could actually be real commercials."

1 of 459 comments (clear)

  1. Re:And that so sums up Linux... by Ethanol-fueled · · Score: 5, Interesting
    The Linux.com contest is cute, but not much is accomplished for Microsoft or Linux as long as they are aping Apple's ad campaign. Such ads would only give the impression that Microsoft and Linux are late to the "cool party".

    It'd be nice if Canonical (or any other serious player, or especially a consortium) released ads which played on Linux' strengths and dispelled the myths of modern Linux. They could show a stylish but smart person being the Linux user and his curious but skeptical friend asking the questions:
    • "Dosen't an expert need to set up Linux?" "No, it's quick and easy!" (show a YAST or GRUB GUI installation)
    • "Can I change the way it looks?" "Sure, much more than Vista or OSX!" (quickly show a wide variety of theme shots)
    • "How do I install software?" "Look, it's easy. Everything is at your fingertips." (show the GUI apt-get)
    • "Does Linux work with different hardware?" "Of course." (show rapid-fire shots of CUPS recognition, multiple monitors, etc.)
    • "Can I run my Windows programs on Linux?" "Yes you can." (show WINE in action)

    But more importantly, Linux must go on the offensive. They must stress that they are capable of doing fancy stuff(show the oblig compiz-fusion screenshot), and they should mention the freedom that users will have to do whatever they want with their computer while reminding the users how annoying iTunes is for trying to install other crap under your nose. Maybe have a cheap shot at the "Vista capable" fiasco and the fact that Vista and 7 are the same thing are both prime targets for malware. Stress that users do have a choice!