Patrick Snyder
December 12th, 2008, 10:44 PM
Before actively looking for a Linux distro, I had never heard of Ubuntu. Now many of the things I read talk about getting the word out, and I agree.
It occurred to me, such a community that can actively collaborate creating such a complex thing as Ubuntu for free, should and could also do the same along the lines of advertising. Especially internet advertising. There could be some very nicely done 30sec promos, witty ads, etc.
So I went to YouTube to see if there was anything already. What I found were a couple of geeks making fairly average, unpolished videos where they mostly just talked, or just recorded their screen, showing compiz effects, with music in the background.
Then there were a few IBM commercials geared towards Linux. And a Dell commercial or two that had some quick cuts showing Ubuntu running, that you could see if your eyes were fast and you knew what you were looking for. It didn't mention what it was, and sort of hid it away as if it was the embarrassing kid brother your mother forced you to take with you when you went out with your friends.
There's a bunch of fan videos for Mac. I know Mac has a much larger market share, but if there are that many advocates making semi-professional videos for Mac products, Ubuntu advocates could make 1 or 2.
Apple even used an ad made by a fan for iPod Touch (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lv1vsKS2wAo). They took out the "Mac + PC" screen, but keep most of the other stuff and ran it on TV.
Perhaps I missed a good Ubuntu video. And if I did, please let me know. But even missing some videos brings up the point that they're not as prevalent as they should be.
The more I think about it, the more I believe that Ubuntu could and should try to set up a group of collaborators to make official Ubuntu commercials. Fans would see them and hopefully follow suit with their own. Or perhaps, even better, Ubuntu could set up a contest where people can submit commercials and people on the Ubuntu team or in the community decide on the winner(s).
For now, if anyone reading has got the talent, the ability, or just plain good ideas, please make something and post it!
It occurred to me, such a community that can actively collaborate creating such a complex thing as Ubuntu for free, should and could also do the same along the lines of advertising. Especially internet advertising. There could be some very nicely done 30sec promos, witty ads, etc.
So I went to YouTube to see if there was anything already. What I found were a couple of geeks making fairly average, unpolished videos where they mostly just talked, or just recorded their screen, showing compiz effects, with music in the background.
Then there were a few IBM commercials geared towards Linux. And a Dell commercial or two that had some quick cuts showing Ubuntu running, that you could see if your eyes were fast and you knew what you were looking for. It didn't mention what it was, and sort of hid it away as if it was the embarrassing kid brother your mother forced you to take with you when you went out with your friends.
There's a bunch of fan videos for Mac. I know Mac has a much larger market share, but if there are that many advocates making semi-professional videos for Mac products, Ubuntu advocates could make 1 or 2.
Apple even used an ad made by a fan for iPod Touch (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lv1vsKS2wAo). They took out the "Mac + PC" screen, but keep most of the other stuff and ran it on TV.
Perhaps I missed a good Ubuntu video. And if I did, please let me know. But even missing some videos brings up the point that they're not as prevalent as they should be.
The more I think about it, the more I believe that Ubuntu could and should try to set up a group of collaborators to make official Ubuntu commercials. Fans would see them and hopefully follow suit with their own. Or perhaps, even better, Ubuntu could set up a contest where people can submit commercials and people on the Ubuntu team or in the community decide on the winner(s).
For now, if anyone reading has got the talent, the ability, or just plain good ideas, please make something and post it!