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- theblueprint, on 10/12/2007, -3/+112Using a woman to personify Linux is a great idea, since women and Linux are equally easy to understand :)
- ihaveplans, on 10/12/2007, -21/+46"Linux needs to be seen as appealing, confident and competent. Even–dare I say it?–sexy."
No, don't say it. An operating system cannot be sexy. This use of "sexy" to describe objects in no way related to sex is getting out of hand. Linux is not sexy. A toaster is not sexy. A lamp is not sexy. And unless you're that mechanic in England who ***** his cars, automobiles are not sexy.
What you mean to say is "desirable" or "cool". Try that on for size. - randf, on 10/12/2007, -2/+26"Mac vs PC" *and* managed to get the word "Linux" in the title?
doesn't matter what the article is about, this will be an instant front-pager with that title...let the flames begin - nx01, on 10/12/2007, -6/+25Warning NSFW (you will at the very least need headphones)!!
http://tv.truenuff.com/mac/security.php
http://tv.truenuff.com/mac/upgrading.php - llvllatrix, on 10/12/2007, -1/+19Get the IBM Linux kid to ride the PC and Mac around. The end of the add would say "Linux: Runs on Anything".
- shakin, on 10/12/2007, -3/+19"An operating system cannot be sexy"
You never used Ubuntu Warty with the monthly wallpapers, did you? - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -7/+20There are no "monthly qualms" with linux, however. :)
- ontain, on 10/12/2007, -5/+18but i've never met a women that free.
you pay one way of another. - Schpariel, on 10/12/2007, -2/+15naio21 == Steve Ballmer
- drlha, on 10/12/2007, -7/+18No, its because it requires geekiness to care enough about what OS you run, and to go to the effort of installing it over a machine that already has a perfectly good OS installed. Until people can go into a store and make the decision: PC, Mac or Linux, Linux will always be for geeks.
- d0odx, on 10/12/2007, -1/+12Instead of the girl it should really be Tux. (Although i would kick Tux out of my bed First.)
- KielKilla, on 10/12/2007, -3/+131. MAC / PC = HARDWARE
2. LINUX = OS - Flamekebab, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9I find it ironic that to keep Windows running smoothly you need to be fairly geeky.
To keep Linux running smoothly you don't need to do anything.
Setting up Windows is more hassle than many linux distros, maintaining the antivirus, adware updates and so on are considerably more hassle.
I find that most users know so little about how to maintain Windows that it constantly ends up a mess.
You know the only problem I've had with our linux desktops in my office?
"Our mouse is broken, do we have a spare or shall we buy a new one?" (and I mean the hardware was worn out)
The amount of problems Windows seems to cause is a nightmare. - fanboydcs, on 10/12/2007, -1/+10halik, exactly, yet in the real world, I am a unix admin, and I still enjoy tinkering.
I do view my linux machine as a tool for what I like to get done.
And why was my post modded down? I am a geek, if I wanted a machine that "just worked" I wouldn't have posted that... - SeBBBe, on 10/12/2007, -4/+13Macs do work better, but on the PC side, Linux is truly the easiest OS. It's far more plug and play than Windows and there's close to zero messing around if you dont want to. And it's not weird that Macs always work, because they have a very limited set of possible configurations. PCs, on the other hand, have almost an infinite amount of hardware combinations.
- resplence, on 10/12/2007, -1/+9When you copy and paste a piece of text to compose a description it is paramount that you at least veri
- skatingrox, on 10/12/2007, -2/+10@Shirokun:
Clear clothes? No, thanks. (Unless they're female...if they are, go for it!) - CircleFusion, on 10/12/2007, -1/+9@thaeger
I like the use of the woman, because she will (or could) cause both of the other two to seem more pathetic if the scripting is done correctly.
I liked the following lines
"How long have you been standing there?"
"A long time"
Those lines were acted smoothly, and it sets up a lot of other points. It made the point that Linux was growing under the radar, and that PC and Mac are a little bit scared that Linux seemed to come out of nowhere.
The earlier dialog of the video took a little long to get across and could be tightened up. By the time Linux gets there, there isn't time to say much. Before Linux appears, it just looks like another typical Mac/PC spoof. The 30,000,000 user thing was interesting, but there should at least be one other thing to say about Linux.
There are a thousand points to make that could position Linux as a smarter alternative to Mac and Windows, at least in a commercial like this. I could see a lot of "beat that!" moments while pointing out Linux's flexibility, freedom, price, and recent rapid development...the things that PC and Mac can't tout to the same degree as Linux.
Later on, in another commercial, you could have another Linux appear that looks like a really professional IT guy...a geek, but a really smart and successful one, not the type that sits in their parent's basement. This would introduce the "multiple flavors" of Linux...something like..
PC - Wait, you're both Linux?
Linux 1 - Yep.
Linux 2 - There are different versions of Linux that apply to many different uses. Many people use Linux on the desktop, while most of the websites on the internet are also powered by Linux. It's pretty powerful stuff.
Mac - Amazing
(a miniaturized guy walks on at the bottom of the screen)
Mac - Don't tell me...you're Linux too?
Linux 3 - Yep. I fit into all sorts of smaller computer devices. I'm probably running on your cellphone as we speak.
(PC's cell phone starts to ring. He ignores it.)
Mac - I think that's your phone. Are you gonna get it?
PC - uh... it'll go to voicemail - fanboydcs, on 10/12/2007, -16/+24I am a Linux user, The machine I am typing this from is a Gentoo box, but I believe that OSX is a better os...for everyone, but not me.
If anyone asks me what os they should buy or use it would be OSX.
If anyone asks what hardware is best, I would say apple.
but when it comes to what I use at home, I prefer linux.
I don't need to run any commercial applications, but everyone else I know does. I feel that I need the flexibility that linux offers, I just get around faster in linux than I do in OSX.
I really think that OSX does everything right yet I still use linux because I like to break stuff and tinker.
I believe that OSX is the best OS for linux users that need to use commercial software, or that are limited on the lack of commercial support for linux... - Shirokun, on 10/12/2007, -10/+17It shouldn't be only a single person. Look, Linux is powered by a strong community and therefor it should be something like:
I'm a PC
I'm a MAc
We're Linux
And the people representing Linux should wear white or clear colored clothes. White means pure and free. - Novagenesis, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6I agree drlha, in argument but not in conclusion.
Nobody nongeeky uses linux because nobody nongeeky cares to install it...Fine...
Modern linux distributions are as easy to USE, once installed, as windows. I won't argue this. Nobody has ever given a good argument otherwise without mentioning "what you're used to" (which has nothing to do with the issue of what is overall "easier") or "those stupid text prompts" (not goin there). The point is, when I find a computer illiterate person that is enough of a "sucker" to let me guinea pig them with Linux, they never need nearly the help they previously needed in windows. They have more access to games and software, and unless they're dealing with outside companies that demand use of the most modern Microsoft Proprietary formats (which I experience less and less. I've been seeing a lot more .pdf files going around my workplace than .doc)
Not one person said "can I have that other thing back?" - ray901, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7@drlha
Actually you just repeated what drscott was saying:
He said:
"The only reason Linux is attached to a "geek" personification is because it still requires some common sense and motivation to use effectively"
You say:
"Until people can go into a store and make the decision: PC, Mac or Linux, Linux will always be for geeks."
So he was right - until people start doing things for themselves and not have others make the decisions for them (until they start exercising their common sense and motivation) Linux will be attached to the geek crowd. - Shirokun, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Sorry, I meant bright.
- JrGhoull, on 10/12/2007, -3/+8@ninja
the whole point of the woman and the way she looks is to show not how linux users are but how linux users want to be protrayed. the guy writting the article i think made a really good move choosing a woman because, as he said, the use of an attractive, intelligent, self confident woman, takes linux into its own category and basically nocks the pc and even mac guy, down to the ground.
as many if not most (or even all) of you have, i too have thought about how i would do my own linx pc mac commercial. In mine, i would have, in this order, the pc, the average male consumer, the mac, and then off to the side linux. they all introduce themselves, ending with linux. linux would begin introducing himself, and just as he was getting started explaining, he would look off to the side and exclaim "WTF" which the camera would instantly pan out to show the consumer on all 4's getting assnailed by the PC guy and sucking the Mac guys *****. The linux guy, would then walk out in disscust. You would then see just the consumers face. he would have a big grin, and the cum all over his face would be mac white. the 3 some would represent how the consumer gets simaltaniously screwed over by MS and apple. apple making devices (usually in their famous perl coloring) and telling the consumer how cool and hip it is, and ramming it down their throats through constant commercials....and MS screwing people up the ass by practically all but making the average consumer use windows and windows only. - blingfinger, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6I think the Tux should step into the scene and then go off into a forum to figure out what his lines are before he says anything.
- thaeger, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5Benito:
You have it wrong. We deliberately chose an actress who was not excessively buxom or otherwise sexually suggestive because we did not want something so facetious. Please read the blog post.
--Ted - JohnChapin, on 10/12/2007, -3/+7Linux is in the ads... it just happens that the entire commercial happens on a white set which metaphorically represents Tux's belly. Meaning that Linux is everywhere running the systems on which these two little guys stand and depend on to communicate. You never hear the bird speak because, well, it isn't human. It probably wouldn't be interested in the arguments of the two guys anyway... It would just rather have a giant herring fed to it.
- DrScott, on 10/12/2007, -7/+11The only reason Linux is attached to a "geek" personification is because it still requires some common sense and motivation to use effectively. This is why the popularization of stable, user friendly distro's is so important. Personally, I believe that if you can use Linux yourself, you should do what you can to introduce the aforementioned friendly distro to people you know.
- astrosmash, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5The only people who think those are "the WORST commercials" are pathological Apple haters.
- pastaq, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5Linux should be James Bond...
- BlackCow, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6@Shirokun
And the group of people should be from all over the world. - thetictacaddict, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Linux could jam her hands into the mac/pc guys chests and they would turn into copies of her!
- frostieDude, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5This is a good point. If someone has to ASK you what kind of computer to get, then obviously the right answer ISN'T Linux. (Unless it is your boss who says "what kind of servers should we deploy?") But a regular guy saying what kind of computer should I get to use at home - you point him towards Apple. That way he can pay a little extra for a Mac and Apple can make it easy for him because you (or I) sure as hell don't want to be doing free tech support for him.
- Yaroslav, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5A crazy penguin with shotgun would fit better.
- JJVH, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5I dunno, I've dated quite a few "unstable releases" in my time. I think a woman would work perfectly.
- frostieDude, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5>>Well, you could have the PC man, and the Mac dude, and Linux could be played by a three-year-old.
>>Someone who's cute, and fun to play around with, but who still has a lot of growing up to do yet.
IBM already did that ad for Linux. They had a kid in a white room being taught lots of "important things" by scientists and they said the kid was Linux. - Gatesophile, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4Well, that's not entirely accurate, because I hate Apple, and yet love these commercials.
- ubuwalker31, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3The non-geeks who use linux have had it installed for them by geeks who are close to them...such as my mother and cousin and ex-girlfriend. Install linux for a non-geek friend or loved one today!
- Wootery, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4@jrghoull
And the consumer says "The Aristocrats!". - Fritzel, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4@drlha
Just out of curiousity drlha, what OS do you run? - andycr512, on 10/12/2007, -3/+6"In fact, Linux ORTODOX FANS (that is, not the regular Linux user) are much like Woodstock's hippies:"
Err, no?
"they think they are part of something BIG, but they don't know exactly WHAT."
I am part of something big, just as any GNU/Linux user is, and I know exactly what it is - the GNU/Linux community.
"They think they will change the world, but they don't know HOW."
We already have - if we didn't know how, then how would we have already?
"Just pass the pot man and PEACE!...."
What does drugs have to do with computers? - quantumHobbit, on 10/12/2007, -5/+8Why not Linux as a schizoid who shouts "I am Legion". Seriously there are too many different flavors of Linux to fit one stereotype. You have the guy who too cheap to buy Windows, Lindows and its progeny; someones dad who doesn't realize that he's using Ubuntu and thinks its great; the science major writing code on a Red Hat workstation(me); and finally the Debian freak who takes everything apart to see how it works.
- Ninjab3ar, on 10/12/2007, -13/+16A female linux character just doesnt fit in.... well, not a girl like the one in the article, at least. If you look at the original commercials, the Mac and PC personify its users, the Mac being "The cool guy", and the PC being "The business professional". IMO, Linux would be the "geek", since it appeals to the "techie" crowd (at least when it comes to being used as an OS for your home, since that is the type of crowd that Apple is trying to appeal to with these commercials). I dont think a female can personify a geek, not because there arent female geeks, but because its easier, and more common to imagine a male geek.
- textureglitch, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3You obviously haven't tried Beryl on Linux
- Ninjab3ar, on 10/12/2007, -8/+11yikes! double post!
- andycr512, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4You had me agreeing with you, right up to the point where you called anyone who bought a Mac dumb. Buried.
- cowabuse, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2It will be sad to see after both Mac and Windows spending so much money on advertising, Linux is going to be the standard in homes and businesses. It's just a matter of time.
- Flamekebab, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3If someone asks me which laptop to get, I tend to say "a macbook is probably best".
Linux is great, but currently I feel that Apple's notebooks are the best on the market for most users.
However, if they already have a laptop I'm quite willing to help them setup linux and give them a few pointers.
The integration between hardware and software required for a good laptop experience is more than for the desktop. Until you can easily get hold of preinstalled linux laptops, I reckon I'll keep recommending macbooks. - fanboydcs, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4SeBBBe,
I hardly think $1099 for a macbook is alot of money, most people that are buying laptops are not buying it to play games.
I would much rather have a macbook with intergrated graphics than a dell that is probably much thicker that has no magsafe, ugly latches, no firewire, no DVI out, no 802.11n, no slim form factor, no camera... to me those extra little features make it worth every penny. Not to mention it runs OSX!
Students even get a better deal considering apple gives them a nice discount and a free $100 printer.. - themastersb, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Ummmm....... Did rock4 use "truthiness" with the permission of Stephen Colbert?
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