See, now here's where the geeks among us need to look into that most heinous of sins -- marketing. I'm not going to even suggest I'm a marketing whiz or even know much about it. But I do know that an effort like this should only be the start of something. Free Tux in every Happy Meal? Tux smiling back at you from a billboard above the Brooklyn Bridge? Guy in a penguin suit rappelling down the CN Tower? Hell, why not? Microsoft has done things like this and their friggin' OS is on almost every computer! Why do they need to make sure they stay in the spotlight? To keep their position with manufacturers as the #1 choice when buying a new computer!
We need to be in the public eye more, not just on the Web. We need exposure, and any way you guys can think to do it (as long as it isn't a negative image) is the way to go. Teach them about Linux after they know it exists!
When exactly will "good enough" be good enough? Don't you people get it?? Was Windows 3.0 even close to "good enough" even at the time? Was DOS, for that matter "good enough"? Strangely, these are two examples where good enough was just enough. I know people have high expectations, but let's look at this realistically: if the Linux-using community doesn't feel their own OS is good enough for anyone but them to use, what good is it, really?
I've been using Linux on my Desktop for years, and guess what? It's good enough! My kids use it, too. Yeah, there are proprietary issues to deal with, but as a Desktop it's been more stable and reliable than any Microsoft alternative. It works, it's easy to use and it's even easier to customize your environment than any Windows setup. Software management is a no-brainer. There is resistance to using Linux because it isn't the market leader; it isn't what everyone else has. But from my perspective what everyone else has is more flawed than what we have. If there are Windows users out there that are tired of being forced to endure crapware, viruses and forced upgrades, Linux is the most viable option -- Mac is great, but then we're still talking about forced upgrade to get the latest and greatest.
Since when could you add 3D graphic effects to a Windows environment without buying the most advanced video card on the market? Since when could you install even an upgrade to your browser without having to reboot? Since when did Microsoft bundle useful software with the OS? (No, I don't mean Works or a time-limited install of Office 2007.) Linux has a LOT going for it, and it's only going to get better when more users have a say.
We're not just in the race, we're in a position to win. Everyone who uses Linux can be part of it, can make it better. Can you honestly say that about Mac or Windows (I won't even go into the BSDs; I know they're in a similar boat, but let's face it Linux has a lot more going for it right now)? Look what advertising does for companies like Microsoft and Apple. They're top of mind, and not because they have better features or a stronger user base. Apple measures up with the free options. Apple has some of the best commercials going! Microsoft only survives by being everywhere. What real value does a Microsoft OS have other than being the monopolistic non-choice of the masses?
This is our time, folks. Time to shout from the rafters that Linux is here, and it's ready to take off!
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See, now here's where the geeks among us need to look into that most heinous of sins -- marketing. I'm not going to even suggest I'm a marketing whiz or even know much about it. But I do know that an effort like this should only be the start of something. Free Tux in every Happy Meal? Tux smiling back at you from a billboard above the Brooklyn Bridge? Guy in a penguin suit rappelling down the CN Tower? Hell, why not? Microsoft has done things like this and their friggin' OS is on almost every computer! Why do they need to make sure they stay in the spotlight? To keep their position with manufacturers as the #1 choice when buying a new computer! We need to be in the public eye more, not just on the Web. We need exposure, and any way you guys can think to do it (as long as it isn't a negative image) is the way to go. Teach them about Linux after they know it exists!
When exactly will "good enough" be good enough? Don't you people get it?? Was Windows 3.0 even close to "good enough" even at the time? Was DOS, for that matter "good enough"? Strangely, these are two examples where good enough was just enough. I know people have high expectations, but let's look at this realistically: if the Linux-using community doesn't feel their own OS is good enough for anyone but them to use, what good is it, really? I've been using Linux on my Desktop for years, and guess what? It's good enough! My kids use it, too. Yeah, there are proprietary issues to deal with, but as a Desktop it's been more stable and reliable than any Microsoft alternative. It works, it's easy to use and it's even easier to customize your environment than any Windows setup. Software management is a no-brainer. There is resistance to using Linux because it isn't the market leader; it isn't what everyone else has. But from my perspective what everyone else has is more flawed than what we have. If there are Windows users out there that are tired of being forced to endure crapware, viruses and forced upgrades, Linux is the most viable option -- Mac is great, but then we're still talking about forced upgrade to get the latest and greatest. Since when could you add 3D graphic effects to a Windows environment without buying the most advanced video card on the market? Since when could you install even an upgrade to your browser without having to reboot? Since when did Microsoft bundle useful software with the OS? (No, I don't mean Works or a time-limited install of Office 2007.) Linux has a LOT going for it, and it's only going to get better when more users have a say. We're not just in the race, we're in a position to win. Everyone who uses Linux can be part of it, can make it better. Can you honestly say that about Mac or Windows (I won't even go into the BSDs; I know they're in a similar boat, but let's face it Linux has a lot more going for it right now)? Look what advertising does for companies like Microsoft and Apple. They're top of mind, and not because they have better features or a stronger user base. Apple measures up with the free options. Apple has some of the best commercials going! Microsoft only survives by being everywhere. What real value does a Microsoft OS have other than being the monopolistic non-choice of the masses? This is our time, folks. Time to shout from the rafters that Linux is here, and it's ready to take off!