Thanks all. I'll try to summarize/organize for our future reference. I'll comment using "ME" per issue as needed.
1. Linux options for Windows GUI a) Ylmf OS http://ylfm.org/en b) Linux XP http://linux-xp.com/ c) Windows & look-alikes http://goo.gl/Zxstz d) Kubuntu http://www.kubuntu.org/ e) FVWM http://www.fvwm.org/ ME: I'm leaning toward Kubuntu but which one is best for XP user with lesser multimedia, plug/play issues & has virtual space to run Windows software? 2. Unpopularity ME: Even if it's not popular among the Linux community, it's no indicator of how it'll hold for the general population who may not know about this or may not know how to use it. 3. Support a) ME: Organized support group is certainly a challenge at this time. But let's at least take those primary steps we can to create that interest among general users. Any market has a spectrum of participants. Perhaps we won't capture the other end of the spectrum but at least some in the middle or closer than the middle will get interested. No? b) Websites: http://www.linux.org.bd/ http://www.ubuntu-bd.org/ will be up in June/soon. ME: Great! 4. Conversion a) ME: Can we have a screen capture video tutorial displaying the benefits of Ubuntu? This can be done easily with a freeware (only know of a windows app) CamStudio. b) ME: A series of such videos in Bangla would be simply wonderful. I can help in production but my only handicap at this time is Windows :( 5. OpenOffice impractical a) ME: Have to agree with Jewel. I use OpenOffice and maintain hundreds of old .doc/.xls files as well. Most people don't utilize the thousands of features in any of the softwares they use. I'd venture to say perhaps 20-30 features at most. So OpenOffice is a practical option for MOST MSOffice users. 6. Adoption: Memorization vs. Learning ME: It's not exactly memorization but rather an effect of the power of semiotics. Symbols make us think/behave/create expectations in a certain way without us being aware of it and it's very difficult to break that pattern oneself, hence we need good teachers to help us. So, we can't simply blame the people and instead provide them with good/efficient teachers/tutorials. 7. OS terminlogy standard ME: I understand what Jewel means. Using "Open-Excel" is a good idea. The problem is copyright/trademark issues of course. But I think he means having similar naming conventions for similar functions. I am somewhat a dry person so I want functional names to things and can do without catchy names that marketers love for their branding. I'd much rather have similar names for similar functions so that I can make the connections and know my options easily. 8. The problem of choice. ME: Again agree with Jewel. Thousands of choice is not always good... of course US consumer culture would say otherwise. Sometimes such degree of choices are there to confuse and misinform. It can be just as bad as 1 choice. Here's someone who can explain it better than I ever can. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO6XEQIsCoM and same at http://www.ted.com/talks/barry_schwartz_on_the_paradox_of_choice.html 9. Overall comment. ME: Guys, most of us are at least more technical than the general population but that doesn't mean we have to take every single word literally. Let's try to be sympathetic toward what the person is trying to communicate rather than the particular words they are using. Shumon -- Ubuntu Bangladesh https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bd
