On Sun, 6 Feb 2005 20:14:51 -0800 (PST), Arindam Basu <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
<snip> > A quick counter question: why did you take to Linux in > the first place? <snip> > That begs this OT question. Why would someone, who is > comfortable with his or her Windows OS, who can not > care less about licensing the OS than about selecting > the shampoo, would switch to Linux? Good question there Arindam. Why should anyone select Linux over Windoze? People like you, me, others over here would quote some geeky reasons ... but does the comman man decide in the same way? Why should my father switch over to Linux when he already has a pc with something on it? Well ofcourse there are problems in it and he has to get the pc cleaned everytime I pay him a visit, but he still doesn't allow me to install Linux on his box. Why? Just because he doesn't want to relearn the ropes. Possible solution: Have patience and perseverance, and hope they will eventually listen to ur wise (wizened?) advice! Another scenario, a typical middle class family decides that buying a PC for thier kid is going to help him/her with the studies and grades and future. But they dont go for Linux because they have Windoze at school. Why should they buy something thats not used at school, they are after all buying the PC to help the kid with the grades! Possible solution: Convince the schools to shift to Linux with distros like freeduc-cd or skolelinux may be? But for that you should convince the school n/w administrator to shift to linux first. Yet another scenario: A non tech savvy guy/gal wants to get tech savvy so that he/she can grow in the ranks at work. What do they go for? Why the same OS that at office ... windoze it is!! Possible solution: Convince the corporates to shift to Linux. Talk about ROI/ROE, TOC, security, scalability, legalities, etc. and the options they have currently. May be tell them about LAMP/LDAP/Groupwares? One more scenario : Probably some elderly people decide to use the PC to keep in touch with thier son/daughter and their family who are working far away as well as to keep them entertained. So they need a web browser, webcam, voice chat, a TV Tuner, VCD player and songs player. And all at a cheap price. so they pay a visit to the local dealer who provides them with a Windoze 98 SE (probably pirated?) PC. The friendly neighbourhood computer "engineer" also promises prompt support. Possible Solution: Convince the dealer to shift to Linux. Well, I guess we werent able to convince Amar PC themselves! Now the profile of the BF crowd ... I guess most of them were the parents of the school going kid. This was proved by the interested generated in the Freeduc-cd distro. And the profile of this LUG? Acedemic I guess, if not to the boot, then to a great majority. Can they help push Linux into schools? I am sure things are on the move on that front, though I personally dont know what, how, where, when/ who. I would be greatfull if someone can fill in on that!! PK, may be you can fill us in on that? Well these were just my 2 kaurie. Footie ke nahin, I donno ;-) -- - Prem ---------------------------------------------------- Prem Kumar Aparanji M: 00919830631687 [Kolkata, WB, INDIA] http://prem.shaliniprem.com http://www.shaliniprem.com -- To unsubscribe, send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the body "unsubscribe ilug-cal" and an empty subject line. FAQ: http://www.ilug-cal.org/node.php?id=3
