Selling Ubuntu: "software for everyone"

[feravolo]

Selling Ubuntu:

Even though people don't have to pay for Ubuntu, you still have to sell it. I decided to start this tread after receiving an interesting phone call, from someone that found one of our web pages:

Our caller had just downloaded and installed Ubuntu, but was having trouble "getting Java to work". I tried to tell them about "synaptic and apt-get" and they still where confused. I may of been easier if the call wasn't on a bad cell connection and I had a system in front of me, but I at least had a book and I wasn't in the car.

As a result of this car we added a link to a good ubuntu how to page that we found, since it is going to take some time to develop our own. I addition we realized that regular people they use want the computer to work for them, and they are willing to accept a little hassle to use open source software [such as Ubuntu].

The bottom line here is lets just talk about how to sell Ubuntu in plain American English to people that don't even know that open source software [like ubuntu] exists. Let's start with translating "Linux for Human Beings" to "Software for Everyone", that's plain American English and we are here to help our friends over-sea's sell Ubuntu here.

Peace
Mike Feravolo

PS Here the how to page:
http://www.cs.cornell.edu/~djm/ubuntu

[Chilli Bob]

Sorry if this sounds harsh, but that sounds like needless dumbing down, and doesn't clearly establish that it is refering to a non-Windows (or OSX) environment. I see no real benefit in it.

However, I agree that I haven't found a site yet that explains FOSS or Linux to the uninitiated in a simple to understand way. Unfortunately word of mouth is still likely to be the best way to spread Linux, unless it does reach a market share that makes unable to be ignored.

[feravolo]

Sorry if this sounds harsh, but that sounds like needless dumbing down, and doesn't clearly establish that it is refering to a non-Windows (or OSX) environment. I see no real benefit in it.

However, I agree that I haven't found a site yet that explains FOSS or Linux to the uninitiated in a simple to understand way. Unfortunately word of mouth is still likely to be the best way to spread Linux, unless it does reach a market share that makes unable to be ignored.

Please don't get us wrong here, we really like the whole "ubuntu concept", "Linux for Human Beings" which was big part of what sold us on the distribution. However, we are computer people and we know what Linux is and [as a bonus] we also know what "Human Beings" are too. We also know that traditionally Linux distributions were hard to setup and use; Ubuntu has eliminated that problem, and the Live-CD also let's people "try before they buy".

In order for that tag line to be effective you have to know what Linux is. A vast amount of people in the Untied Sates of America, don't know what Linux is. Which is why we'll just use the word software, to make it easy for them.

Additionally; Just because they don't know what Linux is doesn't make them "dumb", as a matter of fact we aren't really sure what exactly "dumbing down" means.

Everyone knows what "software" is and "everyone" is whom we are trying to sell to, so why not start with telling "everyone" that Ubuntu is for them. After they understand that Linux is software, then the official tag line becomes effective for them too.

[Chilli Bob]

By the term "Dumbing-Down", I was referring to simplifying "Linux for Human Beings" to "Software for Everyone" in order to make it "plain American English". I'm all for simplifying what can be a torturous experience for the newcomer to Linux, but I think that removing "Linux" from the catch-phrase will just make things more confusing.

Many (perhaps most) computer users are unaware that there even is an alternative to using Windows. When they see the word "Software" in "Software for Everyone", they will naturally assume that it refers to Windows software. Then when they attempt to run Ubuntu, or even a Linux application as a Windows program, they will get frustrated and angry, and tell their friends how useless Linux software is. (I know this sounds ridiculous to those of us in the know, but it is amazing how little many people know about just what Linux is.)

That's why I feel that the word "Linux" has to stay, to clearly delineate the world of *NIX from the world of WIN*.

I realize this isn't offering any advice to actually help sell Ubuntu, because, frankly I have no good suggestions. I talk to friends an co-workers about Ubuntu as much as I can and try to spread the word that way, but we have to accept that without the marketing prowess of a commercial entity, selling Ubuntu (or any Linux) is going to be a slow process.

[feravolo]

Good Point on the Linux thing: "Linux Software for Everyone" is better since it both eliminates confusion that Ubuntu is a windows application instead of an operating system and informs them that "Linux" means software.

However; Is it really important for people to know that Ubuntu is Linux in order to get them interested in Ubuntu ? "Software" also lets people know what Ubuntu is used for. in addition to what it is.

Unless you can eat it, drink it or smoke it; Letting people know what something is used for is actually an more effective sell then what something is. Taking that into consideration "Ubuntu: "Software for Everyone" is a better then "Ubuntu: "Linux Software for Everyone". Once they know what Ubuntu is for, it will be easier to let them know what Ubuntu is. Also at this point do they really need to know anything about Linux ?

Mike

PS It does take money to advertise, but as a consultant it's nice to know that you can offer a service where you can actually save your clients some money. When you support that other operating system you are just another additional expense.

[reya276]

I'd have to agree on the "Ubuntu: "Software for Everyone" is a better then "Ubuntu: "Linux Software for Everyone". But my issue with this whole thing on trying to get people's attention is that in order to do that we need to re-educate consumers and that is no easy task. I use to be in this category until one day I got fed up with the Blue Screen of death that I took my brother up on his Ubuntu offer have not looked back ever since. But I am the exception I've been a web developer for a long time and I know my way around an OS. Ubuntu has greatly simplify the way to install linux and use it, now is up to "US" to re-educate the consumers and let them know that there are other options, that is not just a windows world. So Ubuntu:"Software for Everyone" is the way to go, because everyone is stuck in a Windows world, even though they complaint about it they are married to it and they will rather stick with it than have an ugly divorce and go on to use an OS that they might feel it won't satisfy their everyday needs. Which is why I think that unless we can get more companies like Dell to support this OS, this will be a very tough thing to accomplish.

[feravolo]

I'd have to agree on the "Ubuntu: "Software for Everyone" is a better then "Ubuntu: "Linux Software for Everyone". But my issue with this whole thing on trying to get people's attention is that in order to do that we need to re-educate consumers and that is no easy task.

I use to be in this category until one day I got fed up with the Blue Screen of death that I took my brother up on his Ubuntu offer have not looked back ever since. But I am the exception I've been a web developer for a long time and I know my way around an OS.

Ubuntu has greatly simplify the way to install linux and use it, now is up to "US" to re-educate the consumers and let them know that there are other options, that is not just a windows world.

So Ubuntu:"Software for Everyone" is the way to go, because everyone is stuck in a Windows world, even though they complaint about it they are married to it and they will rather stick with it than have an ugly divorce and go on to use an OS that they might feel it won't satisfy their everyday needs.

Which is why I think that unless we can get more companies like Dell to support this OS, this will be a very tough thing to accomplish.

reya276: I broke up your posting to make it easier to read and of course make an reply. I am starting to realize that the most important thing in selling Ubuntu is to break things up into simple steps.

Since you are a "web programmer" the operating system and/or development tools are entirely transparent to your user base. Which is why the web is mostly Linux driven, and most people neither know or care that it is. Dell is helping introduce people to Linux, however they also tell people that Linux is harder to use then windows.

Making a switch to Linux for your applications will depend on a number of things, like company politics if you work for someone or how heavy your investment in windows is if you run your own business.

If you are in the planning stage of a new project, making the transition will be a lot easier. Also as an added bonus making it an open source project will get people to work with you for free. If you are doing something that interests them, and they are able to find the time to help you out. However, you are going to have to make your money on support, rather then licensing fees.