> -----Original Message-----
> On Behalf Of Jeff Waugh
> Sent: Sunday, 6 January 2002 8:02 PM
>
> > (a) Your average Joe Business Owner most probably has never
> heard of
> > it before and/or doesn't even know Linux/OpenSource exists.
>
> I think this is pretty far from the truth nowadays. Small
> business people who know bits and pieces about computers and
> are investigating technology definitely know about Linux. To
> a lesser extent "Open Source", and to a far lesser extent,
> "Free Software". It's just been too all over the magazines to
> miss (think PC User, APC, PC World etc).
Most of the small business owners I have dealt with are barely
computer literate, let alone reading magazines like PC User, etc. I've
always understood that if their accountants, TV servicemen or web
designers, that they are probably spending what little spare time they
have keeping up or catching up on their own trade and not what their PC
can do for them.
> You're not selling yourself for free. Thus, you're not
> selling Linux for free. It's a solution, and it comes with a
> cost. Trying to edge yourself into a market by saying "FREE
> OF EXPENSE! DON'T SEND ANY MONEY!" is a bad idea. :) You, as
> the solution provider (or "fixit man", depending on how you
> see yourself), and the client's needs, are the important
> things in the equation; not the technology you solve it with.
Very true - point taken.
>
> > (a) How do you resolve such a problem and make it easier to find
> > reputable Linux support people/companies?
>
> Let's turn this one on it's head and say... "How do you find
> reputable software and hardware support people and/or
> companies?" How do people do it with Windows? I honestly
> don't know, other than to say that it's word of mouth, and
> calling in old mates (if I ever hear the phrase "one of my
> yachting mates was telling me about this great..." again...)
It's a lot easier to go to your local computer shop and get
support for the majority of applications on a Windows box than to go
look for someone with StarOffice or PostgreSQL experience. In fact, I'd
say the majority of local computer shops, Harvey Normans, etc wouldn't
even have one support person who knows anything about Linux.
Rgds,
Stephan
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