[ubuntu-uk] [Marketing] How to increase OSS Exposure
-BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE- Hash: SHA1 Guys, On the back of the release of the podcast, I though it sensible to either publish, or work out and then publish, what the targets of ubuntu-uk are in regards to marketing. One of the issues that has come up on the openoffice.org lists is the fact that there's very little marketing power in Open Source. The general public doesn't have the exposure to ubuntu and FLOSS in general that the likes of Apple and MS have. There's alot of good volunteer projects running to try and fix this; however, we need to find a way of playing the system in order to get the exposure we need. Now I can't pretend that I know how to do this (If I did know I could probably make a lot more money than I am currently) - but it's something that I think we should consider. Whilst we want to push ubuntu as much as possible - pushing FLOSS in general is going to help create an environment in which Ubuntu can thrive. Does anyone have an ideas how we should go about this? Is our current growth rate acceptable/sustainable or should we be pushing for increased growth rates? One idea I've had (and I'm hoping others will have more to contribute) is that we try and cover new adoptions of ubuntu over the UK in the podcast. i.e. a 'ubuntu taking over the UK little by little' section. Regards, Andy -BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE- Version: GnuPG v2.0.7 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iD8DBQFH1ttJauMjEM4rxIQRAtTlAJ9tYGzKYogi0+hW3hJOFkobwNTSIACdEmr5 oVfU1xHrK+kG7pLjd5ixzv8= =62wY -END PGP SIGNATURE- -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.kubuntu.org/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] [Marketing] How to increase OSS Exposure
On 11/03/2008, andy [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Does anyone have an ideas how we should go about this? An idea came to me while watching TV. Channel 5 have this thing called Your News[1], maybe we should contact them, might not make it in time for anything about Hardy's release but might be able to organise something for the release after that. Is our current growth rate acceptable/sustainable or should we be pushing for increased growth rates? More is good. One of the main problems is the public sector are locked against us. Many of the government agencies require the public to use .doc files if you want to fill out stuff online[2], and there is the lack of anything non Microsoft in education :( We need to somehow combat the public sectors insistence that we use Windows. We are not even on a level playing field here. FSFE don't appear to have do much. I asked them about the BBCs windows only software and they said it wasn't a priority. The UK is under-represented. Oh well. Andy [1] http://www.fivetvonline.tv/your-news.php [2] http://www.ico.gov.uk/complaints/data_protection.aspx -- Computers are like air conditioners. Both stop working, if you open windows. -- Adam Heath -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.kubuntu.org/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] [Marketing] How to increase OSS Exposure
Andy wrote: On 11/03/2008, andy [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Does anyone have an ideas how we should go about this? An idea came to me while watching TV. Channel 5 have this thing called Your News[1], maybe we should contact them, might not make it in time for anything about Hardy's release but might be able to organise something for the release after that. Is our current growth rate acceptable/sustainable or should we be pushing for increased growth rates? More is good. One of the main problems is the public sector are locked against us. Many of the government agencies require the public to use .doc files if you want to fill out stuff online[2], and there is the lack of anything non Microsoft in education :( Or a very small amount of anything non-Microsoft in education - for instance the handful of schools running Karoshi, Moodle, LTSP or things along those lines. I'd say it's probably a small percentage at the moment. We need to somehow combat the public sectors insistence that we use Windows. We are not even on a level playing field here. FSFE don't appear to have do much. I asked them about the BBCs windows only software and they said it wasn't a priority. The UK is under-represented. Might be worth e-mailing the Open Source Consortium about it, they seem to be interested in doing things - just look at the big stink they quite rightly kicked up about the iPlayer. What gets me is that they're supporting the iPod Touch iPhone before Linux!!! Surely there's more Linux Mac users out there than iPhone/iPod Touch users. Oh well. There's a fair few of us doing different bits and pieces, although sometimes it can be disheartening that the word isn't getting across. :-( [1] http://www.fivetvonline.tv/your-news.php [2] http://www.ico.gov.uk/complaints/data_protection.aspx I'll have a look at the links later, maybe the Five News idea might be a good one. Rob -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.kubuntu.org/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] [Marketing] How to increase OSS Exposure
Andy wrote: snip One of the main problems is the public sector are locked against us. Many of the government agencies require the public to use .doc files if you want to fill out stuff online[2], and there is the lack of anything non Microsoft in education :( We need to somehow combat the public sectors insistence that we use Windows. We are not even on a level playing field here. FSFE don't appear to have do much. I asked them about the BBCs windows only software and they said it wasn't a priority. The UK is under-represented. ORG - the Open Rights Group - are probably the most active digital rights group in the uk: http://www.openrightsgroup.org/ Well worth checking out. john -- John Levin http://www.technolalia.org/blog/ -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.kubuntu.org/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] [Marketing] How to increase OSS Exposure
On Tue, Mar 11, 2008 at 7:54 PM, Andy [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: One of the main problems is the public sector are locked against us. Many of the government agencies require the public to use .doc files if you want to fill out stuff online[2], and there is the lack of anything non Microsoft in education :( I am doing my bit as I have put up our schools staff application forms in Word and OOo format :-) Even have a graphic linking to the OpenOffice website on our site, and a whole page on our intranet for students to learn about Open Source and 'proper' free (as in beer) applications. Colin -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.kubuntu.org/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] [Marketing] How to increase OSS Exposure
On Tue, Mar 11, 2008 at 8:56 PM, Colin McCarthy [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On Tue, Mar 11, 2008 at 7:54 PM, Andy [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: One of the main problems is the public sector are locked against us. Many of the government agencies require the public to use .doc files if you want to fill out stuff online[2], and there is the lack of anything non Microsoft in education :( I am doing my bit as I have put up our schools staff application forms in Word and OOo format :-) Even have a graphic linking to the OpenOffice website on our site, and a whole page on our intranet for students to learn about Open Source and 'proper' free (as in beer) applications. Free as in beer on a school website, hah. (I know its not, just funny to think). -- Kris Douglas Softdel Limited Hosting Services Web: www.softdel.net Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.kubuntu.org/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] [Marketing] How to increase OSS Exposure
andy wrote: Whilst we want to push ubuntu as much as possible - pushing FLOSS in general is going to help create an environment in which Ubuntu can thrive. The two issues: 1) Public awareness (and use) of FOSS (floss?), and 2) awareness (and use) of Ubuntu. I display monthly at a local computer fair - both FOSS and Ubuntu, and over a year I have noticed that attenders have now become aware of Linux, probably from PC mag and media coverage, also anti vista etc. They are not necessarily *using* it much, but there *is* an awareness which simply was not there a year ago. I also push FOSS - in the form of 'the Open CD'. My leaflets explain and push FOSS, and they get taken. However, the requests are invariably for the alternative to Windows - on my display it is Ubuntu, and no requests come in for FOSS. In conversation it is easy to get an OpenDisc (FOSS for windows) accepted, but the concept which is now out there and happily bouncing around in the wild is 'the alternative to windows'. I think at this time with vista threatening and users already well tired of being pushed around by M$, the concept of an Alternative OS and reinforced with a wider emotional pitch of 'Freedom from feeling Locked in!' is a powerful slant, and one which pushes on an open door. Although the political and economic philosophies in FOSS are central in my thinking, the message is a bit heavy to get across at any one display event. Continuing to use the key words 'alternative' and 'freedom' (with the implied not 'locked in'), I find that discussions of Open Office are fruitful - and this can often lead to an open disc being taken. Increasing use of Open Office is important however and whenever it is prompted, because it underscores the FOSS ideas, and is good quality stuff. Likewise Firefox is well known, and a Firefox banner will enable people to identify with FOSS even though it is the only app they may use currently. Thunderbird is a bit more of a commitment to get people to take on, but it is a step closer to linux. These multi platform apps are useful steps towards linux use, in fact, the very path I used myself. I have found that the strong branding that Ubuntu has is a very important factor is getting recognition. I used to wonder why the tux logo was not used in ubuntu, but only the ubuntu logo (brand). I now think I know. Marketing a (wild) idea needs a clear focus, with no confusion. Ubuntu branding works. I have noticed that there is a layer of pre newbie and newbie existence which is too timid to use LUGs (or even forums) directly. Most windows users are quite anxious of doing anything major, even though they are really fed up with what they have got. A bit of a chat on the display stand seems very useful for them. One person visited over months, then finally installed. It can take a really long time for confidence to build up, much longer than one might expect. These people feel very alone at first. I certainly support the action of pushing ubuntu, and FOSS too. In fact I think the Live CDs (not edubuntu live I think) have some windows FOSS anyway (used in windows). FWIW I find the the keywords Alternative (to Windows) Freedom Locked in are worth considering just now. Good hunting! -- alan cocks Kubuntu user#10391 Linux user #360648 -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.kubuntu.org/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] [Marketing] How to increase OSS Exposure
I think that marketing Ubuntu and FOSS together mightn't always be the best way to move forward. I've written about this before, and I know it's an unpopular view, but sometimes I think that people who might be interested in Ubuntu might be a bit put off by open source evangelism. Sometimes I think we have to pick our battles. It might be a case of getting someone into Ubuntu first, then getting them into the concepts of FOSS once they have taken 'the bait' of Ubuntu. Chris -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.kubuntu.org/UKTeam/
