Linux Ads?

[Penguin Guy]

I've just taken a look at some of the Linux ads here (http://video.linuxfoundation.org/). Before you read on, I would like to say that I mean no offence to the people who made the videos, I realize that all the videos took an enormous amount of time and effort to make.

However, all the adverts seem to be saying either that 'Linux is free!' or, 'Hey look - we have a cool mascot!', neither of which is honestly going to persuade anyone to switch (freedom just makes us sound like hippies and no one really cares about the mascot). We should instead be putting across the facts that Linux:

Is faster
Crashes less
Looks better


Also:

I want to say that (in my opinion) the standard mascot (http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=153470&stc=1&d=1271430379) gives a rather bad impression of Linux whereas the crystallized mascot (http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=153471&stc=1&d=1271430379) has a far more professional look to it.
Take a look at this video (http://video.linuxfoundation.org/video/1262) - very epic but couldn't help thinking it looked a bit like a zombie film trailer, speaking of which, these penguins (http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=153474&d=1271431176) look more scary than friendly.


Feel free to comment.

[asddf]

Then make a new ad!

[bshosey]

I've just taken a look at some of the Linux ads here (http://video.linuxfoundation.org/). Before you read on, I would like to say that I mean no offence to the people who made the videos, I realize that all the videos took an enormous amount of time and effort to make.

However, all the adverts seem to be saying either that 'Linux is free!' or, 'Hey look - we have a cool mascot!', neither of which is honestly going to persuade anyone to switch (freedom just makes us sound like hippies and no one really cares about the mascot). We should instead be putting across the facts that Linux:

Is faster
Crashes less
Looks better


I also want to say that (in my opinion) the standard mascot (http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=153470&stc=1&d=1271430379) gives a rather bad impression of Linux whereas the crystallized mascot (http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=153471&stc=1&d=1271430379) has a far more professional look to it.

Feel free to comment.

They should be addressing the Freedom fact. Agree with who cares about mascot. People need to be pushing more on the Freedom than Free of charge.

[Penguin Guy]

They should be addressing the Freedom fact. Agree with who cares about mascot. People need to be pushing more on the Freedom than Free of charge.
Yeah, I found lots of 'make it yours' and 'free as in freedom'-kinda ads, but I think speed, stability and a professional look are more highly valued by most users.

[Sporkman]

Why aren't those ads being blocked??

[nerdy_kid]

i def agree about the non-crystallized mascot -- it looks tacky. the crystallized one looks much better.

[Mr. Picklesworth]

Indeed, the current batch of contest entries are quite poor. (And someone keeps submitting these blasted XtraNormal (http://www.xtranormal.com/) videos).

There are a few nice ones, though!

http://video.linuxfoundation.org/video/1695 — nice and simple
http://video.linuxfoundation.org/video/1706 — nice animation!
http://video.linuxfoundation.org/video/1696

Indeed, “use Linux; it's free!” is equivalent to those people who stand outside train stations handing out religious pamphlets. Those are free, too!