What is Digg?Sponsored by Travelzoo
$52 and Up—Airlines Slash Fares On Peak Holiday Flights. view!
travelzoo.com - This year, waiting until the last minute is NOT the best strategy. See why.
184 Comments
- cooltom2006, on 10/12/2007, -9/+85Ubuntu rocks!
- zirtbow, on 10/12/2007, -4/+62Ubuntu is great... but unfortunately its so great some will just compare every little feature directly to windows. So that if it doesn't do something the way that user liked in windows then they will give up on it. After I tried it I -really- liked it. I got my brother to install it and he only used it for a few weeks before he gave up on it and uninstalled it. Reason?.. It didn't always pick up the shares on his windows computer (or so he says). I had another friend I convinced to use it and he tried it on his laptop but got rid of it because the power management wasn't as good as windows. I know there is TONS of help on boards out there but Ubuntu's biggest challenge is that there is always going to be power users such as those on digg.com that can do what they need to use a good system like Ubuntu and then there will be those who want everything to work exactly as they imagined right out of the box.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -7/+46@masamunecyrus
1) Judging from the fact that you refer to it just as Linux instead of Ubuntu, I'm going to wager that you have no clue how user friendly it is.
2) He linked to the image so if you dont want to, you don't have to load all the crap around it.
3) I bet you smell like pickles. - Flamekebab, on 10/12/2007, -2/+40Advertising isn't just about getting people to straight-off use your product - it's about brand awareness ("mindshare").
If you can get Ubuntu in the eyes of the public they're more likely to go "oh, yeah, I've heard of that" and listen with at least a little interest, rather than staring blankly as you talk about "ubun-what?" - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -5/+37For the past month I've trolled here on DIgg bugging LInux users. Last night I tried the Ubuntu LIveCD.. and now i'm writing this comment from my new Linux partition. It really is that good.
""Linux just is not user friendly enough. That's why most of us haven't migrated, yet."
To be honest I expected this to be hard, but it wasnt. There are still some things that I cant figure out.. but I expect those to fade, it appears to be a learning curve, simular to what is required to run windowss at it's fullest. - estvir, on 10/12/2007, -3/+22It's cool and good to see, but I really, really doubt this is going to spark the interest with the 'common people' that they want.
It will get attention from those of us who know about it, but as for making people switch, you wish.. it'll be as succesful as the OO ads, or as uncessful I should say.
Anyway, I hate to be cynical/blunt, but it's the truth. :(
Well.. it's a start, anyway . . - detrate, on 10/12/2007, -5/+22http://img8.imagepile.net/img8/91713ubuntubillboard.jpg
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -6/+22I'm sure all the average user community will just look at this and pass
- itguru624, on 10/12/2007, -1/+16I prefer Knoppix, but Ubuntu is going to dominate the market. All it takes is a good solid WINE, video drivers, and game support; maybe ubuntu will one day be the desktop for the masses. Honestly I am sick of windows and I support the linux move.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -10/+25But the URL for the Ubuntu site isn't even on there! People will just see this and say: "uh..ok".
- hchaudh1, on 10/12/2007, -2/+16@cbtf
I checked your comment history and you were not kidding about the trolling part.
But glad you like Linux. The key is not to get frustrated and get on IRC and ask if there are some problems.
A couple of tips: Use Synaptic and Automatix. They will make stuff so much easier. And you will really love it once those automatic updates/functionality enhancements start rolling in. - Z_Man, on 10/12/2007, -9/+22have you ever heard of google?
- Desolite, on 10/12/2007, -3/+15i've used only windows for the past... forever. i gotta say, Ubuntu is doing something right cause i'm going to install it on my next computer i build. it may be part of a dual boot, it may be for a network server or other server, but thats still a step to the linux direction.
- coolguy2k, on 10/12/2007, -3/+15i sport the ubuntu bumper sticker (on my car) i received w/ the 10 ubuntu disks i ordered - gotta represent!
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -4/+15Not the point. You don't advertise a product and expect people to go try and find it. You at least point them in in the right direction.
- katsanes, on 01/30/2008, -1/+12I saw that on my drive into work just 15 minutes ago, I was definitely surprised, and even more surprised to see it one I got into work on digg!
- g33kfu, on 10/12/2007, -2/+12There are several things you can do to help promote Ubuntu:
1) Order some free CDs from Shipit
2) Hand them out to your friends at work/school
3) Install it on your grandma/grandpa/aunt/uncle's computer next time Windows ***** up on them, show them how much easier it is to use over their "old system"
4) Last but not least, live by example, USE IT YOURSELF! - usp8riot, on 10/12/2007, -1/+11Awesome! Hopefully we can all help do our part who use Ubuntu or other Linux distro's and promote them via virtual billboard, aka, internet.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+9I've used a lot of different distros. Ubuntu is an easy OS for common everyday uses. You're the mayor of wrong-ville.
- evilTak, on 10/12/2007, -1/+9Different distributions target different audiences.
Debian targets those who know how to configure their systems, and want a large amount of control and a huge repository of easily-installable-and-removable prebuilt free software at their fingertips.
Gentoo targets those who want to hand-compile, optimalize (;-)), and tweak every aspect of their systems.
RHEL and SLE[SD] target the enterprise market.
Ubuntu is targetting users who want some of the power and flexibility of Debian without the necessity of hand-configuring everything themselves. - berock, on 10/12/2007, -3/+11@becominglumberg
The article says its in Redwood City, not Redmond. I think thats in CA. - Flamekebab, on 10/12/2007, -3/+11Isn't it fun to sit on the sidelines hurling abuse at others brave enough to get out there and do their best for the cause?
I may be a geek, but that doesn't mean I'm a dork. Ask my girlfriend.. - Flamekebab, on 10/12/2007, -4/+11I've printed out some Ubuntu stickers and sport one on the lid of my laptop - it got some positive comments from the CEO of Sirius (Mark Taylor) along with quite some interest from other attendees of the ICT conference I was attending.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -2/+9Do you honestly think there's people out there promoting Ubuntu that aren't using it? If they are, they have stranger, deeper problems then I want to worry about.
- Flamekebab, on 10/12/2007, -2/+9Isn't it better to support a cause that's making real headway than to say "Oh but they're not doing everything the way I want it to be done!" ?
I mean, sure, there are other distros that are great too, but Ubuntu is that's advancing in leaps and bounds. - somerandomnerd, on 10/12/2007, -4/+11Seriously, if you need to be given the URL to find the distro, you don't want to be experimenting with a new OS.
- bash, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6@MoeB: You just inspired an awesome idea. The Ubuntu community should hold a contest to see who can design the best billboard. The winner gets a cookie. ;)
- cesclaveria, on 10/12/2007, -2/+8you are going to get modded down hard (probably you are already below viewing treshold at the moment of my writing) the philosohy its not "we hate money", its more about the tools being free, software its a tool, with it you can make great things. I am not sure how to put it and its kind of hard to me doing it in english, but the spirit of FOSS its not everything free.
For example I work building and maintaining community websites, the tools I use are free and/or open source, but the service provided is not free. The FOSS (free open source software) allows to keep prices down, and a constant innovation.
//I really hope that make some sense. - toekneebullard, on 10/12/2007, -2/+8 work alongside ad people all day long, and I can tell you now that Brand awareness is more important than a website. How many time do you see a big Coke sign, with no mention of "get it at your convenience store now!"
But I don't think this is really effective advertising. Anyone who knows the word "Linux" but doesn't know much about it, pretty much thinks it's way to complaicated. Especially saying that it's "Linux for Human Beings" just solidifies the idea that Linux is a scary, complicated thing. Even if this is Linux designed for Humans, it's still something that originates from a dark scary place. I just don't think it's a good tagline. - inkubux, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7One day we might see a television ad. How awesome would it be ?
- wvdavis, on 10/12/2007, -3/+8@ Giever - "Most people don't know what Linux is, or haven't heard of it..."
I think that more credit should be given to the general population than that. As mentioned before, people know how to use a search engine. If a sign stirs up the question and makes one want to find out more about something, they will pursue it. Ten minutes ago I had never heard of Ubuntu, though I have played around with several flavors of Linux before. I'm downloading it now (and judging by the slow download speed, so are most diggers), I'll give it a try. What's it going to cost me, some time??? A blank CD? - wedderburn, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6What this billboard is going to do is get the name into average people's minds. its easier to convert someone over when they are familar with it... just take intels adds for example not too many people know what a CPU is but hell they still want a Intel Pentium.
- vectorprime, on 10/12/2007, -3/+8@flamekebab: Right on the money. Advertising is groundwork for when my friends walk up and see my laptop with a beautiful gnome/compiz desktop and a bunch of clean, professional, unfamiliar looking apps and they ask what I'm running. If I say I'm running Linux, then they say "huh?" and assume it's some complicated toy for power users (which, in their minds at least, I am and they are not). But if I say I'm running Ubuntu, and they've heard the name and associated it with some clean graphics and the phrase "for human beings", then they say "Oh, cool, tell me more" and I let them poke around my computer a bit then burn them a livecd.
- Giever, on 10/12/2007, -4/+9Also, I don't see it making mention of what it even is. Most people don't know what Linux is, or haven't heard of it, if these ads are trying to pander to the casual PC users, they'll probably have to make some kind of mention at least of it dealing with computers in the first place.
- zigid, on 10/12/2007, -3/+81) You misspelled awesome.
2) "Awsome" doesn't really contribute much to the conversation. - dbr_onix, on 10/12/2007, -2/+7"Advertising isn't just about getting people to straight-off use your product - it's about brand awareness ("mindshare")."
Exactly, even if it doesn't have the website, when someone, say, gets a computer with "Ubuntu" installed, it's better to think "Hm, I've heard of that", than "That stupid thing I saw a billboard to and couldn't [download and burn/install without breaking the computer/etc]"
Open Source needs more advertising in general, not to force people to use it (Since open source is "about choice"), just to make them aware of it, and be less.. scared? of it when they do use it..
Hopefully the advertising works out for Ubuntu, and other projects will borrow the idea
- Ben - xqb4dpx, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5IBM did it for linux in general.
- brotherjohn1234, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Go to the Ubuntu-Community. ( http://www.ubuntu.com/community) There a many friendly guys out there - they will help you.
You are not alone ! - sgamer, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5ive installed everything from linux from scratch, to gentoo and slack, and the reason i use ubuntu now and it is good enough to change over as a desktop os, is the easy automatic updates and notifications. sure, i can upgrade when i learn something new is out, or when a new exploit comes out for something i use, but why not just sit there and let them send it down the pipe at me, updating it with two clicks? so easy, and those updates are why i can easily put this on another family member's computer without having to worry about something major messing up and having to come fix it myself.
ubuntu = set it and forget it linux. - barbobot, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6my profile > manage topics uncheck linux/unix
(I didnt previously know how to do that but i spent a whole 10 seconds looking around and found it.) - Shadowman, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6@ Phocion55
You will probably get the usual "it just works" replies. It isn't necessarily better than Gentoo or Fedora. Ubuntu is just the cool Linux distro right now. I agree it is overrated but if it gets more people away from Windows and onto Linux that's a good thing. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5My royal prediction is that Linux in general (and ubuntu in particular) will gain considerably over the next year, exactly, and be ready for mainstream adoption. I know that probably sounds a little early/ambitious, but I think we're looking at Firefox levels of Linux adoption, starting precisely one year from now.
Naturally, I would be most interested to hear everyone's comments on this rather 'farfetched' (if not aggressive!) proposition of mine here... :) - cesclaveria, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5I have done my share then, but now the folks from Ubuntu rejected one of my orders from shipit :( Everytime I got some, they go flying like fresh baked bread, especially the Kubuntu CD's
For some reason when I show them my KDE+XGL/compiz its almost an instant convertion, they dont mind the easy installation, the easy way to update and install new apps, the good hardware support, etc, etc... they only want their rotating cubic desktop :p
I make my best promoting (K)Ubuntu, but you always need to try not being too snobish (sp?) or pushy, or you will annoy them instead. - DigOdug, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5Maybe it isn't an accident that ubuntu is the first distro which these guys have been able to install properly for the first time on their rig...
- natterca, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6@Giever...
I doubt they're directed at Joe six-pack. Oracle, I believe, is HQ'd in Redwood. I'm sure there's a lot of high-tech there. - cesclaveria, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5The question is not about what you can do in Linux that you cant do in windows, it gets more interesting the other way around.
What can you do in windows you cant in linux? make a list and then decide if those things are worth the $ you are paying. If they do, great you are a happy customer and thats good for everyone, if not, then ask your self why are you paying? - sumadartson, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5I'm not a zealot, but...
First of all: sudo su will give substitute the current user to the super user.
Second, if you're a power user, you must be able to figure out how to download build-essential from synaptic. It's not that hard. - bnortham, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4People that append ", USA" to their town name are idiotic.
Oh, and congrats to Ubuntu. I've had a blast using it, and it's made my work so much easier. I've tried Red Hat -> Fedora (nothing bad to say) and Gentoo (damn, I was literally *always* compiling something), and now Ubuntu/Kubuntu. I'd have to say that for pure computing comfort, I've loved the distro. I love the debian-derived package management, the easy choice of desktop environments, the live cd aspect, and support as well: the great forums at ubuntuforums.org, and decent IRC community. - hchaudh1, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4I do and I loved them.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3182711082396344549 - inkubux, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5Well some persons would go to the School of Clowns if they saw it announced on a billboard ;)
-
Show 51 - 100 of 184 discussions
Browsing Digg on your phone just got easier with our enhancements to the 
© Digg Inc. 2009
— Content created and posted by Digg users is 