On Fri, 10 Feb 2006 17:32:58 +1300 Christopher Sawtell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> On Friday 10 February 2006 16:39, Nick Rout wrote: > > On Fri, 10 Feb 2006 16:17:23 +1300 > > > > Christopher Sawtell wrote: > > > On Friday 10 February 2006 15:40, Nick Rout wrote: > > > > Back On topic, what is an application that has a real WOW factor on > > > > a demo day? I am not sure that it is enough to say "Look at linux, > > > > it will do the same things as your windows machine" - people want a > > > > reason to go through the (greater or lesser) degree of pain involved > > > > in switching. > > > > > > Frequently a very beguiling reason is $0. > > > > > > I remember some years ago I prepared a set of policy papers for a > > > small primary school using the LyX / LaTeX / TeX tool chain. > > > > > > I was waylaid by female parent who had a small office cum typesetting > > > business. Upon her seeing the printouts, the conversation continued in > > > this vein:- > > > > > > She: "OOh! that's nice work, what software did you use"? > > > Me: "The LyX front-end to LaTeX and TeX". > > > She: "Never heard of it, where did you get it? How much does it cost"? > > > Me: "It's a free download off the Internet, but you have to know how > > > to set it up". > > > She - with emotion: "I've just spent $12,000 on a supposedly top notch > > > typesetting system, and it doesn't produce anything as nice as that. > > > Me: "I'm so sorry." > > > She - now in fairly full flow emotionally: "These conputer companies > > > are just rip off artists. I've just been conned out of twelve grand"! > > > > > > Or words to that effect. > > > > > > -- > > > CS > > > > But they do not need linux to run latex or lyx! Lyx is available for > > windows. > > > On the other hand I am thinking there are so many people out there who > > do not pay for software for windows either. If you know where to look > > you can find about anything in the software line for nothing: > > > > * tools to make serial numbers that convert 30 day trials or cripple > > ware into fully functioning product. > > > > * full iso's of expensive high end software. > > > In other words I am not so sure that price is necessarily a huge factor > > for the average windows home user. > Possibly not for the 'average', whatever that means, home user of less than > stellar means. What I meant was that people are so used to not paying for their software that price is not so necessarily a difference point on its own. I tell you, lots of people really do think there is not much wrong with getting a serial number or complete CD from the internet. And with reference to your comment below, these people are not my clients who appear in the criminal courts. The average criminal court consumers are too busy trying to keep food on the table and pay the rent to be worried about having a computer. if they get their hands on a laptop it will get sold for money for food or drugs. The people who cheat on their software are the middle class, people who you and I meet socially, in business or commune with over the internet. They are almost conditioned - after all once you get past "what is the harm in downloading an mp3 of the latest U2 release" its not far to "whats the harm in getting a free password for photoshop". I constantly hear people saying "have you got a copy of Office I can install on my new computer?" - and they are not talking OOo. Yes economy is a good reason to use linux, but I am not sure it is a powerful differential for many users. Maybe I am just being cynical. It certainly is a good "selling" point, but IMHO it has to be combined with linux's other attributes to make a real difference to many people. It's almost the last stage. Whats needed is a hook, which is the kewl stuff. Once you have the hook in, you get down to the other advantages, and the price is the final clincher. </rave> > > > I suspect very many of them are > > playing the piracy game. There may be many businesses in the same > > league. Whether they will switch to linux just to legitimise themselves > > is unclear to me. > Seeing as NZ has one of lowest rates of piracy in the world, and if you > remember we had quite a few business people turn up to Ian's OOo talk, I > think honesty has quite a decent following in the NZ business world. > Certainly that's my impression of the place. wadr & imho, you have been > overexposed, by reason of your profession, to that certain echelon of > society which has unfortunately altered your perception of mankind. We're > not all thieves and vagabonds you know. Also the risk of being 'potted' is > quite high. One only has to have one slightly disgruntled employee who is > delighted to get the BSA's reward, and then one has the BSA and the > Police hammering at the door ready to haul you off to be a new client for > you. Probably not too good a look on your reputation. How does the average employee know whether the new version of Office that got loaded over the weekend is legit or not? Rememeber the average office computer user still thinks the backspace is just a more convenient twink.
