> From: Chris Day [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> In MHO, we have a PC war going on as follows:
<snip snip snip>
Hey... PC's are a damb sight beter than bombs, stones or sticks - bring on
the PC war --IMHO... :)
Chris, thanks for the fantastic round up of the market place. Don't know if
I agree or disagree with all your points but I can say it was great insite!
> - Linux still is and will remain a hot item - the rule is, if
> it has our
> brand, it should work with Tux or find something that does.
BRAND BRAND BRAND and support the BRAND BRAND BRAND!!!
<Rant at='everyone, universe, god, devil, george bush, tooth fairy'
execptions='chris, dse'>
The TUX logo on DSE products is a fantastic bonus for Linux in NZ and a
really balluzie move by DSE!
WHY?
We can leverage off the DSE platform to win consumer support.
I'm currently working on a small project which will end up with a huge
consumer interface ('huge' when factored against the rest of the project
size).
I want to use Linux in the core of the system (for a range of reasons that
should be obvious to people following this list).
My stakeholders want to use Microsoft products simply because they are main
stream and that reduces their consumer risk.
On my recent trip to Wellington I purchased a whole range of DSE wireless
products all with the TUX logo on them. I was able to show my stakeholders
that Linux is moving into the main stream and their perceived consumer risk
was unfounded and infact the business risk now is that they need to know
more about Linux and not less.
PROBLEM!
My stakeholders also follow lists like CLUG.
"Disk Smith IS GIVING UP ON LINUX..." - is how the headline read....
On other lists recently I've had an endless number of negitive comments
about DSE ranging from poor product, service, support to cost of product
(for anything that's not 'run out stock' and discounted as such).
The message the Geeks are sending my stakeholders on these lists is that I'm
wasting my time supporting Linux!
SOLUTION!!!
* Look for and present the positive side of what DSE and other companies are
doing. Talk about those on the lists.
* Make the lists back into a LFC - Linux Fan Club!
WARNINGS!!!
* Keep it humble...
This bit of the rant is targeted at myself first - I am not always as good
at following this advice as I'd like to be... it's my weakness, so look
after me :)
* Don't build monopolies...
Let's make a DSEFC becuase it's a good thing... but let's also make some
other FC's to keep the market balanced... What other national retailers are
supporting Linux?
BENEFITS OF DSE TO ME
I now have a really good relationship with the manager in my local DSE and
many of the staff in a number of other DSE stores in Christchurch and
Wellington.
I'm in the process of being issued with a trade card to reduce my direct
costs a little and speed up the process with returning stock.
DSE have a 14 day return policy with no questions asked. At present I make
a weekly trip to DSE to pick up the next range of products for evaluation,
spend the next week working out the pros and cons of each and then take them
back. It costs me nothing other than a few bank fees for transactions.
When I'm done I'm going to be able to present my finding back to my customer
with a complete list of recommendations on consumer products along with
details of a known national supply chain.
</rant>
> That said,
> there are the odd bits that take a bit to get going or don't
> go (and don't
> get the Tux logo). BTW - If you read this far and know about
> NZOSS and
> their proposed HW certification program, please give them a
> hand to get it
Didn't know about NZOSS but will look into that one.
> of the ground - then if it has a NZOSS Tux and doesn't work,
> it won't be my
> fault and I'll sleep better :-)
If you're going to publish great rants like this one then I'm not sure I
care about your sleep as much as I care about keeping you on line to rant
more :)
Seriously thou... If there are other areas that would help your sleep easy
factor then please shout long and loud... I know what it's like to be
deprived of sleep for to long and I wouldn't wish that on anyone! :)
> - Yep, playing with some cool Arm based router stuff that
> runs BusyBox..
> ...wadam I doing - not here to sell.. - Please wait until it
> is happening
> before gossip sets in
Best way to slow the gossip... make good on your telephone promises to
email me the manuals and tech spec's so I can bury my head in reading.
Products have a very short life in the market. :)
(/me types rant... /me deletes rant... /me resits ranting again... /me
reviews post for 80/20 rule compliance)
> - Do not believe the press - if its not a crunchy headline,
> it won't sell
> the rag! I must remeber to keep my trap shut...
:) - /me must cut off own fingers! :)
> .. and I'm a top down e-mail guy - shoot me!
BANG
> Rgds, Chris...
>
> (the guy and not the company)
Cheers Don
DSEFC Founder - www.DSEFC.co.nz
WARNINGS: This post contains attempted humour... if you have trouble
working out which bits are humour and which bits are not then please refer
to the section in your computers operation manual marked "How To Turn Off My
Computer".
Watch more TV - it doesn't answer back.
