Matthew Larsen wrote: > Hey Chris, > > Nice article although I feel you fall into the 'non-techie explanation > trap' as I call it.
The article is aimed at non techie readers, so a non techie explanation is needed. Most of the computer users I know use a computer they use Windows. Period. They do not know or even want to know about 'software', let alone an 'operating system'. The marketing target is different to the target reader you have in mind, I guess. > For example in your first paragraph: > "Microsoft Windows (or Windows more commonly) is a bit like a brain > for your computer. It's the 'intelligence' that knows how to print a > document or display a mouse pointer or connect to the Internet" My view is that this is a really excellent way to describe the general concept of what is offered. That is, to people who think a computer *is* Windows. I would be confident that most people think this. Even a close family member with a brain as big as a planet and so fluent at use of a computer that it could be used by them in their sleep said to me recently - 'Linux is an operating system, yes?' This person is a marketing director level, but no tech qualifications. They had been using windows for years, and still did not know (or care!) that is was an operating system. This is the power of Marketing, specifically that of Microsoft's. I suggest there are a number of different target audiences to be communicated with, some have a *lot* of influence, but are thoroughly non technical. The lack of double glazing salespersons in the linux community means that we too easily expect - (and get) - criticism from technically weak statements. I picked up a 16 page booklet on the latest Office program by Microsoft. It did not contain a single checkable fact and no technical statements at all! This is how marketing is done. We should be doing the same. We need to identify who our target audiences are, and take action for all of them if possible. Look at the style and vocabulary content of different publications. Some have a very restricted vocabulary indeed. This would place constraints on deemed successful new content offered. I have a leaflet which is aimed for computer fairs and works fairly well for people who expect to manage their own computers. It seems to work best when they have already had some vague knowledge of the linux alternative, as many of these have had, but maybe never followed up. My leaflet would not be best for street handouts. And no one would put their knitting down because this leaflet attracted them! It is for a different audience. For example, a non techie article should aim to attract and excite a reader who would then show it to their FOFM (friend or family member) who is their technical support, and they say 'Hey I would like to try this!' 'This soap powder does not get viruses, is free, no strings, and can even run from a CD and on Ben's old PC!' And more in the same vein....... :-) -- alan cocks Kubuntu user#10391 -- [email protected] https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.kubuntu.org/UKTeam/
