I agree, I recently had a comment from a sys admin of many years experience that he never bothers with FOSS as you don't get anything for nothing....People are still either unaware, suspicious or assume that it is limited or dodgy software. A free software disc for windows based software along with a Linux distribution disc at a software demo or event at a demo would do wonders to raise the profile in the right environment, and I don't just mean a room in the back of the computing department. A high profile event raising the awareness of FOSS as well as Linux would help. Problem is we start looking like Hare Krishna members or Jehovah witnesses when we normally try doing this, so it would need to be properly organised and professional in approach.
-----Original Message----- From: Jeff Mitchell [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, 15 January 2009 11:24 am To: [email protected] Subject: Promotional event for the average person Hi all, I think that Ubuntu is an awesome computing solution, and I am very impressed with Compiz Fusion and the Emerald Theme Manager. Canonical does an amazing job of maintaining the community, and they also do an amazing job of creating partnerships (like the one they have with Dell). So anyway, it kind of bugs me how no-one knows what Linux is. What are we doing to inform the public? We have an excellent computing solution, but people know absolutely nothing about it. Neither do people in the IT industry. I studied at Electec College Of Technology in 2007, and the tutor there basically said that Linux didn't work well and that we didn't need to know anything about it. I heard something about an opensource software demonstration which apparently happened in 2006 - but what is happening this year? Do we have any annual events happening? Because I haven't heard of any, and I think that people aren't exactly thrilled about the basic concept of FOSS (I'm sure that plenty of people know what FOSS is, but don't really care). Why not run an event to specifically demonstrate Compiz Fusion and *buntu - along with some cool applications and games? That would be great for the average person. We could spread the word via radio, newspapers and word of mouth (also with promotional flyers). I'd like some opinions on this - just note that I'm not saying this should be done, I'm just saying it could be useful. The growth rate of the Ubuntu/Linux installation base is too slow, and we should be aiming to get more Windows users educated about alternatives. I only know one person in real life who uses Linux. ********************************************************************** This electronic email and any files transmitted with it are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. The views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender and may not necessarily reflect the views of the Christchurch City Council. If you are not the correct recipient of this email please advise the sender and delete. Christchurch City Council http://www.ccc.govt.nz **********************************************************************
