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63 Comments
- lyzz, on 10/12/2007, -2/+50Perception about Linux users as zealots must change for it to be taken seriously. Please take #5 to heart.
5. Don't Bash the Competition Some people have been using their operating system for years and have become emotionally attached. You will get the same reaction as calling their kids ugly. Showcase the benefits of GNU/Linux not the limitations of others. - petepete, on 10/12/2007, -0/+365. Don't zsh the Competition..
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -12/+26anti linux zealot? thats like being an anti-freedom zealot
who wants freedom of choise if we could all be trapped using a monopoly OS that gets crappier and crappier
also, your children are ugly - Shirk, on 10/12/2007, -5/+14"With the lukewarm reception of Microsoft Windows Vista"
Considering that the non-business versions haven't been released yet, that's quite an assumption. - ubuwalker31, on 10/12/2007, -2/+10Top 10 ways for Linux to take over the world:
10) While at a friends house, demonstrate a live CD, such as Knoppix or Ubuntu. Leave it with them.
9) When friends/relatives come over to hang out, make sure they check your email on your Linux box, so they can see how easy it is.
8) Set your parents and grandparents up with Linux at home
7) When you go to a store to buy software or hardware, make sure to ask if it is supported under Linux.
6) Make sure all of your friends are using open source/free software on windows. Create a form email listing your favorite programs that you use every day on windows, and mail it to friends when they ask for computer help. (Open Office, ClamWin, etc)
5) If someone asks you what Linux is, say its "like a Mac for nerds, but free and more like Windows"
4) Send e-mails to tech companies asking them to support their hardware and software under Linux
3) Send e-mails to journalists who write about tech issues and ask "why didn't you discuss free software for windows or linux solutions"
2) Only buy from companies that support Linux
1) Donate time & money to open source projects - oshu, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7An excellent list.
I might also point out the classic, Linux Advocacy Howto:
http://www.datasync.com/~rogerspl/Advocacy-HOWTO-5.html
If you want to spread the joy of using a gnu/linux based os it is important to choose your targets carefully. Bob Latest-Gamer isn't a good choice. Joe and Sally Webmailer are a good target, especially if they have an older machine and would like an "update" without purchasing anything new. You will need to install for them, teach them and help them get started.
I think it is also very important to define the role. I like to differentiate between a "user" and an "administrator." For a user, an os like Fedora or Ubuntu is an excellent choice. Of course, I define a user as someone who will never need to worry about installing an os, setting up a network, or anything else. They just use.
The administrator is the person who knows how it all works, how to take care of it, and how to fix it when it breaks.
If you know people who are users of windows and want something new for their older pc, you must be ready to be their administrator if you want them to try gnu/linux.
If you know a windows power user or administrator who is the tinkering type, hungry to learn more possibilities of what then can do with their computer, they may need help getting started, but they should be able to work out a lot on their own, with hints and links and such. Show them the way. Give them a CD and teach them some cool tricks.
Please never make the mistake of expecting a Windows User to become a Linux Administrator. - dmonkey1001, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6The ability to play modern games is a huge thorn in the side of linux. Most of the desktop linux users keep a windows box or dual boot for gaming. Linux doesn't have to do everything better than other operating systems, it just needs to do *as* much. The free price tag will take care of the rest.
- EvilPenguin, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6Word of mouth is far more important to market share than advertising.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -5/+10It also ironically violates their own rule #5.
- bmartin, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5I don't want Linux to take over the world. I like having capitalism come up with new business- and consumer-driven ideas. I do, however, encourage my family, friends, and close relatives to give Linux a shot. Since I usually have to offer them computer support and my father runs a business which would profit from a small web site which isn't virus-prone (e.g. no need for games), Linux is ideal. For my parents who like to browse the internet but can't keep malware off of their computer, Linux is a viable option. I'm comfortable setting up SSH and a remote desktop to help them with potential problems, and I know that after setting up the desktop, I can leave it in a stable state for a very long time.
It's not taking over the world... it's offering a viable option for people. - GMorgan, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6@jellomizer
GNU enforces nothing other than their own copyright license. You can develop and run proprietary programs on Linux. A lot of OSS users don't actually belief in 100% OSS anyway, many believe in maximum possible freedom where people use open standards, most common or trivial programs are OSS (that's 95% of things). A world where you can do nearly everything via OSS with a few exception pieces of work being proprietary until we can develop our own alternatives.
You'll also find there are very few license zealots and most believe in a multi license environment. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -2/+7There is only one problem with this article. GNU/Linux has not "taken over the world". GNU/Linux has made strides into the server market, inroads into the embedded market, and has just scratched the surface in the desktop market, but it can not be said to have taken over any market except maybe the hacker/geek market.
- bmartin, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5The problem doesn't seem to be with "Linux supporting games" as much as it is "games supporting Linux". I have tons of games on my Linux PC, including first person shooters, simple Windows-type games, games like Civilization and the older Warcraft games, a Bust-a-Move like game, etc. However, if I want a specific game, the vendor may or may not have it released for Linux. If you're looking for something like the newest Unreal Tournament, you're in luck.
With some quick Google searching, you can turn up games that Linux has. There are many more than most people like to acknowledge. Yesterday I was amazed when I was able to download a program to take care of my taxes and finances, Gnumeric. The best part about Linux is that almost all of it is "free as in beer", and everything so far has been "free as in freedom". Hardware compatibility is not as much of as issue as it was years ago. It takes a good-sized initial time investment to get used to Linux, but using the OS has been very rewarding. For just about every task someone has wanted to do on Linux, someone has gone out of their way to write the software to do it. Gaming is no exception. - bobappleyard, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4I agree. Most home users buy a computer, and that's that. Whatever came on it is just part of the computer. The distinction between "software" and "hardware" is sometimes too much to grasp, so the distinction between different "operating systems" (operating system? what?) usually goes way over their heads. I've worked in tech support, I got this on the phone daily. I'm not trying to sound arrogant, it's just that not enough home users care about it enough to actually find out how their computer works underneath. They're just looking for an appliance, like a television or a washing machine.
I doubt very much whether this will change so long as MS have OEM deals and the like. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4"Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?"
"I think so Brain, but if you replace the P with an O, my name would be Oinky, wouldn't it? "
--
2) Become an Expert Become an expert in one aspect of GNU/Linux or open source computing. ...
I think the most people would might find becoming an expert to intimidatingly. For those that are regularly and religiously use open source it's not a problem. But for the first time user or ever casual user of open source, the idea of becoming an expert may be too intimidating. Just being part of GNU/Linux or open source computing helps. Gradually some of these casual users may become an expert and some of the first time users will become casual.
I'm just thinking of people I know and what they know about GNU/Linux or open source. When I mention OO or Linux to some, their eyes either roll, glaze over or squint; I would be happy if they just tried it. For me, I know I'm the just a user of GNU/Linux and open source. I continually learn new things and try new things. If you were to tell me "Erin, you need to become an expert at [something]", I would probably get discouraged and feel intimated. I'm happy where I'm at; over time I reason I'll become an 'expert', but that's after many years of plugging along and having fun.
Also, most people think GNU/Linux or open source implies that you are an expert with computers. I would settle for just shattering the stereotype that GNU/Linux and open source are only for the experts and geeks, which it's not- it's for the noobs too. - pvdg, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3I agree with lyzz, although I don't think 'emotional attachment' is the matter here, at least for the majority of users. They are just used to Windows and Windows-based software. Perhaps one of the types of program that still ties many common users to Windows are games.
I would also add that LiveCDs and dual boots are a great help, as they allow people to try a GNU/Linux distribution and still be able to use Windows, at least for some time. Both of these strategies worked with me when I was 'converted'. After a while I got rid of Windows for good. - biggbrother, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Unfortunately it would fail because there is no good need for it. Download PCLinux, click the install button, and your on your way to installing Linux. The only difficulty at all is if you install it on the same hard drive with Windows, and even that is easy to do using the documentation. There are also a number of good Linux books for newbies in most bookstores. As for interaction, you can use the forums for free now that Eric Raymond and the RTFM crowd have been pushed out.
- supdegrave, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4@schestowitz:
Perhaps you have a misunderstanding of the concepts of problem and solution. To say that "Windows is the main problem" is simplistic to the point of meaninglessness. A more accurate (and less confrontational) assessment would be to point out actual problems *with Windows*, and how they are addressed or mitigated by using Linux. For example: "Windows has a large and well-known attack surface for exploit by developers of malicious software". This is a concrete problem, and an area where Linux systems offer benefits. Of course, nothing's quite so simple as all that -- as Linux adoption increases, there will be more incentive for malware writers to target it as well, so we may find the above argument loses some of its strength. Look at the increase in known OS X exploits as its user base has grown. - dmunro2001, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Linux is a great robust OS that anyone can use. It takes no time at all to learn and fun to try all the open source software. If you need office software try Open Office. I love it and use it all the time.
- orbit1979, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3"Are you in politics???"
LOL! who is the one talking about "world domination" and stealth (sabataging) people's systems to achieve that goal? - d3dm, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3"With the lukewarm reception of Microsoft Vista"
Apparently Wall Street thinks otherwise (from http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/01/11/ap3322594.html):
December sales of Microsoft Corp.'s Vista were stronger than expected, helping the company's shares become the biggest Thursday gainer on the Dow Jones industrial average.
Sales data on the new Windows Vista operating system drove investors to boost Microsoft (nasdaq: MSFT - news - people ) stock by $1.04, or 3.5 percent, to close at $30.70, after shares earlier reached a new 52-week high of $30.75 on the Nasdaq. - doodlebumm, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I think that games will be one of the big reason for some people to upgrade - with DX10. Since it will no be an option for XP, it is probably the single largest reason that they will get upgrades. When they make manufacturers ship Vista instead of XP, they will have won another victory.
Games on Linux and Mac, and options to Vista on new computers will go a long way to making a good dent in the market. - ScornForSega, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3@naio
lol, nice to see that you have such a strong will. - orbit1979, on 10/12/2007, -8/+9Basically, although the article tries to be professional and non-combative, the language the author uses treats non-Linux users as spoiled children who make foolish decisions.
"First and foremost you must set the example by using GNU/Linux. " - Like parent to child.
"Some people have been using their operating system for years and have become EMOTIONALLY attached." - Come on now, really?
"You will get the same reaction as calling their kids ugly." - Nice, so non-Linux users are immature? Oh I forget, their "emotionally detached".
"Smart Human Tricks Three words, stealth GNU/Linux implementations." - In others words, Linux users know whats best for you, regardless of what YOU want and your reasons for it. Like a parent to child, you are not capable of making smart, informed decisions. (by the way, enjoy the pink slip from the boss when he/she finds out you went behind their back).
"here are some bosses that will make irrational decisions, even if it's silly accounting practices." - Basically, the author is cocky and assumes ANYBODY that does not accept his proposals are silly and irrational.
"No need to spend even more money on anti-virus, anti-spyware or disk defragmentation utilities." - And no more tax depreciation either.
The bottom line, the author assumes that anybody who uses non-Linux systems is irrational, silly, or "emotional attached". Therefore, one must take must "do whats best" for others regardless of what they need or more importantly, what they WANT. The author suggests pushing open-source software at people who have purchased similar software, because after all, that person obviously does not now what they really want/need and can't make informed decisions. That person didn't have freedom in the midst of dozens of offerings of said software. Don't bash the competition, just use stealth (sabotage) behinds people's back regardless of what they actually want, because after all, their "enslaved" and don't know any better.
/end rant
waiting to get dugg down in 3...2...1.... - biggbrother, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Wow, you charge how much for that Mac?
Cool, another virus and yesterday I got my identity stolen.
Keep in mind that there's a lot more involved than just looks. Some people work with their computers. Beyond that, there are good looking Linux distributions. Mac is so-so to me, XP is ugly as sin, and with Linux you get whatever you want. For $1000 a pop, I'm sure you could get some kickass graphics on Linux as well. As for me, I spend my time with the applications, not the OS. Speed and openness are important. - idonthack, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3I hate him.
- caleb4mj, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1"Why spend say $100 to get back $25??"
Because you learned econ in high school. Linux, if used properly, saves businesses money. Businesses usually don't play games.
But if you don't personally like it or want to use it, no problem. I'm just recommend it for businesses and share holders who want to make their processes more automated and efficient while saving on licensing costs. Home users usually get an OS with their computers. Windows XP Home, for example, is a fine operating system for daily use. However, you have to admit Windows does have a slight problem with malware, for the average home user. Linux or OSX or any secure alternative might make more sense for them, until they learn how to avoid malware. - vp0ng, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3#11. Support gaming!
Transgaming's product, Cedega as well as WineX is making headway here, but its by no means perfect and can be above the heads of new users.
As a new Linux user myself as of the New Year (a resolution) I purchased their product and am quite happy with it, but it's not as good an experience as playing natively in windows and can be quite buggy. - vp0ng, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1agreed, the gaming is there, but it does need work. the developer support is really what is needed, but realistically, until Linux saturates more of the market, it's unlikely that many will make Linux versions or installers. Cedega and WineX are incredible for what they do, but for most gamers, it's just not up to par yet. I'm going for a Linux only solution, so I'm willing to live with it's Quirks. Most gaming folk will not accept less than perfect however. I believe Linux is really on the right path here, and will soon be right up there with Windows. Also, the ATI proprietary drivers are horrible and were near impossible for a new user like myself to install with 3D acceleration. I managed to do it by sheer willpower alone.
- vp0ng, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Here's how i finally got them going in Ubuntu. Follow it exactly and it SHOULD work. I stress the word should. I had to use the method described in the Manual Installation rather than the Ubuntu way. Good luck! Let me know if it works for you.
http://wiki.cchtml.com/index.php/Ubuntu_Edgy_Installation_Guide - oshu, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1@JrGhoull
Someone actually tried that 9 years ago, but it didn't work out and the company went in another direction (linux software development).
Quoth the Wikipedia: "Linuxcare was founded in San Francisco in 1998 by Dave Sifry, Arthur Tyde and Dave LaDuke. The company's initial goal was to be 'the 800 number for Linux' and operate 24 hours a day."
From the article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LinuxCare
Perhaps such a service would do better in today's market... - DoubtingThomas, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1*shakes fist at ATi and their crap-ass drivers*
I have yet to get 3D acceleration working on my laptop's ATi mobility 9700 and that is after attempts in 3 different distributions (SUSE 9.2/10.0 and Ubuntu Dapper Drake). At one point I had close to 15 different versions of the xorg config with various tweaks here and there and never got it to work. - orbit1979, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1"I wish PC manufacturers would offer the choice of Linux or Windows."
Some already do. At least at Microcenter, I don't know about anywhere else. But they do have machines with a distro of Linux pre-installed. I have seen these for several years now. And what about Dell? It's my understanding that you can order a desktop with Red Hat pre-installed. - neko, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1No, I think he has a good point, some people could really use a friendly voice and a helping hand.
And that applies for any OS, not just Linux... for many people, Windows, Linux, and OS X all have the same baseline level of complexity.
I can see it now... "hello? my friend sent me a RAR file, how do I open it? Oh, that's easy, first, you go to this website, download WinRAR , then hunt around for a crack that works... making sure you virus scan each time..." - johngluck, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I've been using Linux since about 1995 and it's been getting better and better. At work, our PC's are all Linux based.
I wish PC manufacturers would offer the choice of Linux or Windows. Perhaps one day...
I don't know about Windows Vista. I'd say there needs to be a compelling reason to switch from XP to Vista. I doubt most people will pay for an upgrade if XP does what they need. As long as the apps they use work with whatever they've got why switch. - cday, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2I don't want to take over the world, I don't want anyone else to take over the world, I just want the freedom to take over and control my OWN world, specifically my own computer and my own data, and I want to be able to communicate with anyone else in the world that I need to, no matter WHAT OS, or what software they choose to use.
I don't want to use Microsoft products, but I DO want them to just BACK OFF of trying to take over or kill everything they don't like or that they can't make money off of, I'd also like them to be MADE to abide by standards (and not just closed standards that they make up themselves).
There is no good reason for Microsoft to have such a strangle hold on such a disproportionate share of the world's computers. Monopolies that consistantly abuse their position need to be broken up. Balance needs to be established in the software world.
No one wants or needs a replacement monopoly. If Microsoft loses its current position, why do so many people automatically assume that there MUST be another monopoly to replace them? I don't get it. - NJank, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1In order to get in on the games market, you have to have games running on linux (native) that will pull in the hardcore gamer base. in order to do that you need to convince the same people who don't blink at dropping $500-600 for the latest video card that they shouldn't be paying for base (OS, etc.) software. But they already bought it, so that only matters when they build a new rig. You'll be lucky to even convince them to dual boot Linux, because they really have no need for it.
- neko, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1@cday: Exactly, personally I'd just like to see Linux on a few more desktops, even as low as 20%, because then hardware manufacturers and game developers might start taking us seriously and release software for my choice of platform.
Seeing Windows dwindle into obscurity would give me a giddy little thrill for a while, but it's not a situation that seems reasonable. Some people actually choose Windows, and that's great, more power to them. But I would argue that a majority of people don't choose Windows but get it spoon fed to them anyway, thanks to those OEM deals. That, I would like to see change, so that the three major platforms can find their equilibrium.
Unfortunately articles like this make everyone who uses Linux appear like some kind of OS warmongering zealot. We're not, really. It's just a vocal minority. Just like many Microsoft employees are nice, rational people. It's just a vocal minority who go on about "Undisclosed balance sheet liabilities" and try to stamp out Linux adoption. (sadly, they're the ones in charge)
Everyone needs to understand that there are zealots on all sides, but most people who care about their OS do so without making much of a fuss about it; we like it, that's good enough for us thanks. We think you might like it too, but no pressure. - matthekc, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0i would like to see more gamer distros open hardware and more wine(the api layer not the beverage)
to help with one of those desires i bought a dvd copy of pclinuxos supergamer. the consumers just need to throw some intrest and money where they want it for example there is a group that is working on an open spec video card to play games as powerful as doom3. wine is great probably gets lots of support - JrGhoull, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1you know what i garentee would fail but still would be great if they did it anywayz? (not that anyone would...because it WOULD fail and therefor no worth not worth trying) a call in tech support line for linux. i'm not talkin about when you buy a years subscription to red hat or something like that, i'm saying a service, which you would pay for, that you would call in to, and they could talk to through installing linux, common faqs, not so common faqs, etc. wouldnt work because there are too few people who would use such a system (hell even i wouldnt use it unless i could call up and pay for just a few hours use) but i would love to just call in and be like "okay i have this old pc with x amount of ram and x sized hdd, etc....which distro should i use, and can u talk me through it?" And then i'd be asked a few questions about what i want to do with it exactly, and then i'd proceed with the whole process while the person talked me through it over the phone. If linux ever does begin to get widely adopted though i think something like this could be a great business.
- kdehead, on 10/12/2007, -5/+5using "GNU/Linux" throughout the article does get tiring after a while....
- Erowid, on 10/12/2007, -3/+3I hate you so much.... Well... Not really you, but what you represent. BOOOOO! :(
- orbit1979, on 10/12/2007, -3/+3"Can you think of a compelling reason to stay with Windows when Linux and pretty much any app you'll ever need are free under Linux???"
Ya. Windows has everything I need at higher quality, I have access to a wide range of hardware, and gaming crushes Linux, assuming I can even get 3D accecleration to work in the first place, and I do not have to waste hours/days/weeks trying to get even the most mundane ***** that should just be standard to work, which when it does, it's just a "workaround", in other words, rigged. - matthekc, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0linux loves windows in virtualization with sandbox security
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1Kodus!
If more Windows games could be emulated on other OSs it would help. The only reason I still have windows boxes are for gaming. It's like how M$ and other places first got people trained to use a mouse- create a game (Solitaire) and let people learn through playing. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1Systems that "just work", some guerilla/viral marketing, some confidence in a helping hand
http://freedomdrive.org for plenty of ideas how to. - pathfindertech, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2if its lukewarm reception, that is simply because people don't want to upgrade. Microsoft however long term plan is to make devices that increase the value of owning vista. Such devices include Windows home center, Xbox 360 updates, and future releases of the Zune plaftform. If you want to take full advantage of these device you will want to use Vista. Now, I agree someone will come up with a Linux solution to connecting these devices, but I think it will still be more complicated that the M$ solution so adoption will be low.
- greek007, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0good idea!
- biggbrother, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2Take over the world?
Vista/Office marketing budget: $500 million
Free software marketing budget: $500
Any questions? - johngluck, on 10/12/2007, -5/+3Geez...
Talk about emotional!!!
Are you in politics??? Your ability to twist things is quite remarkable.
Yes, the author of the page has preference for Linux. So do I. Linux has lots of advantages.
Can you think of a compelling reason to stay with Windows when Linux and pretty much any app you'll ever need are free under Linux??? I can't.
Tax write offs?? The tax you save is only a part of your investment. Why spend say $100 to get back $25?? I'll not spend my $100 and keep the $75 after tax. I'll still be ahead of the game. -
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