I go for guerrilla marketing. I often find myself in need of data or analysis that is "impossible" to get from the existing system. By using Linux (and tools) it is possible, and often easy, to get that data.
Leave a statistical analysis of process failure points laying around (yeah - boring but very very practical) and wait for them to ask how you got it. That's the thin edge that you can lever into an evaluation system. I did all the custom stuff on my personal laptop. When first approached for an updated analysis I'll respond that I can't do it right now - I'll have to get my personal laptop. The not-so-subtle message being that their mega-buck system had less capability than my el-cheapo laptop. The best reception I ever got was being able to perform a network stranded asset analysis on my laptop in under 10 minutes. This was taking close to 72 hours on the production machine during which they could not modify (provision) the network. Jaws hit the floor when I had the report coming off the printer 10 minutes later - big win there! Have a few other "impossible" tasks that are doable with the right tools and then you can bring the business owners onside - now they can see the value. Once you can show them how they can do more, spend less and get it all done faster using Linux the sales job is over. This doesn't work all the time, but I've had some success with it. I have had very little success "evangelizing" though - most people just don't want to get preached to. On Tue, 2008-07-22 at 01:59 -0600, bogi wrote: > I like the subtle approach, i usually give them a few Knoppix disks, to the > techs that is, and insist on testing a few of their laptops under Linux. I > also keep them supplied with the Linux Hardware compatibility lists available > from the web, printed out, so they can actually tell if say a Wifi card would > work or a webcam . whatever would have good modules under Linux. > Going above the level of techs, well, yep, you do find a nice solid stone > wall, and i have not cracked that one yet. Something seems to be implanted in > the minds of these people that prevents them from providing any positive > reactions to Linux whatsoever. > Cheers > Szemir > > On July 21, 2008 16:47, Jeff Welling wrote: > > > > Hi all, > > > > I'm from Vanlug, and thought this may be of interest. > > > > > > Hello all, > > > > I currently work at the BestBuy warehouse, and as I am also an avid > > Linux user, I decided to take it upon myself to start doing everything > > that I could to help the company see the truth about Linux, and to help > > them make the right decisions when it comes to giving their customers a > > choice. > > > > I have been trying my best through all the internal BestBuy channels, > > but I am not getting anything except a stone wall. I'm wondering if the > > local linux community has any ideas or suggestions for helping BestBuy > > see the light when it comes to Linux. I've already pointed out that > > BestBuy.com (american) sells Ubuntu cds for 20 bucks and the response > > that I got was essentially a shoulder shrug - needless to say I'm > > getting exasperated. > > > > Does anyone have any advice? So far I have been pursuing an 'official > > statement' which I could publish to the various linux groups to raise > > awareness, but I'm getting nothing except corporate run-arounds this way. > > > > Cheers, > > Jeff Welling. > > > > _______________________________________________ > > clug-talk mailing list > > [email protected] > > http://clug.ca/mailman/listinfo/clug-talk_clug.ca > > Mailing List Guidelines (http://clug.ca/ml_guidelines.php) > > **Please remove these lines when replying > > _______________________________________________ > clug-talk mailing list > [email protected] > http://clug.ca/mailman/listinfo/clug-talk_clug.ca > Mailing List Guidelines (http://clug.ca/ml_guidelines.php) > **Please remove these lines when replying _______________________________________________ clug-talk mailing list [email protected] http://clug.ca/mailman/listinfo/clug-talk_clug.ca Mailing List Guidelines (http://clug.ca/ml_guidelines.php) **Please remove these lines when replying
