Ubuntu future - expanding number of users

[ibizatunes]

A thought, and questions!
I have been a Ubuntu user for 6 months now - and loving it!
I now only support Ubuntu on friends computer, as i was getting hacked off with having to fix virus and spy ware issues for friends.... (if they don't use Ubuntu they can pay a shop to fix it)

I have now install ubuntu on about 10 different households computers, after each install i haven't had any reports of reliability issues.... thus giving me my weedkends back again!

Still after each install of Ubuntu they HATED Ubuntu at first, then after a month they say it better the Microsoft..... (so they ate humble pie) hehe

Im just wondering do other people find that Ubuntu is disliked at first - due to the learning curve? - ps these are users that are non techies

Also does everyone try and "recruit " new members to Ubuntu or just fix windows issue for friends because its easier?

I no the latests stats are at least 8million users around a few months ago, i was wonder at what rate do think that figure is increasing? 100k new user per month?

Final thought
If everyone brought 1 new user tomorrow to Ubuntu, that would mean 16 million users world wide by tommorw, doubling are current market share, for just something as simple as bring JUST 1 new user,
Shouldnt Ubuntu message bring a new user to us?!

Any thoughts!?!

[Samhain13]

Im just wondering do other people find that Ubuntu is disliked at first - due to the learning curve? - ps these are users that are non techies

In my experience with my machine, which my family sometimes use for Web surfing, it's not as much as the learning curve that they disliked but the new interface. At first, they had trouble finding the applications that they needed to use-- partly my fault because I kept the Ubuntu menu at the top-left instead of moving it to the familiar bottom-left position of the Windows Start menu.

But my family's used to Ubuntu by now. :)

[zcal]

Im just wondering do other people find that Ubuntu is disliked at first - due to the learning curve? - ps these are users that are non techies

Give those same people a Mac instead of their Windows computer and I'm sure they'd be crying and moaning about it just as much. The average user just doesn't like change. :neutral:

¿Es Ud. de Ibiza? ¿Es bastante progresista allí, no?

[aysiu]

I don't believe in recruiting or evangelizing Ubuntu. I will mention Ubuntu as an option if an appropriate situation calls for it, but I don't think we should seek to expand numbers the way car salepeople do.

[ibizatunes]

The number 1 bug on the Ubuntu bug fixes site is microsoft has majority share, unless Ubuntu asks the community to find new users, surely it will take a life time to fix that.....

[aysiu]

The number 1 bug on the Ubuntu bug fixes site is microsoft has majority share, unless Ubuntu asks the community to find new users, surely it will take a life time to fix that.....
I disagree. Although one-by-one custom installations can be helpful in increasing numbers, preinstallation is the key to open source penetration on the home desktop/laptop market.

[DrMega]

Im just wondering do other people find that Ubuntu is disliked at first - due to the learning curve? - ps these are users that are non techies

One of the unfortunate shortcomings of human kind in general is that we fear the unknown, and hate what we fear. This goes far beyond our opinions of operating systems. But yes, in my experience people dislike Ubuntu when they first come from Windows (unless they are genuinely interested like many of us on here are).


Final thought
If everyone brought 1 new user tomorrow to Ubuntu, that would mean 16 million users world wide by tommorw, doubling are current market share, for just something as simple as bring JUST 1 new user,
Shouldnt Ubuntu message bring a new user to us?!

Any thoughts!?!

World domination here we come:) Jokes aside though, while I don't think it would be fair to indoctrinate everyone towards Ubuntu/away from MS, I think it would be good for everyone to at least be aware of the choice they have, and to try to clear up any misconceptions so they can make an informed choice.

[ibizatunes]

Most user WOULDNT touch open source software, though choice! Y would they?! (We no its better) but most uses have NEVER heard of linux, maybe apple mac, but no ones has heard of linux!

So if u where in a shop u would go for named brand ie window, mac possible, u wouldn't even dream of having a operating system u have never touch before!
U wouldn't buy a car, if u everything completely different and u may not be able to drive it would u buy it!?
I agree the open source whole sale will help, but if jo public hasnt even heard of ubuntu (or any distro - for that matter) y would they buy it!?!?

[some_random_noob]

Also does everyone try and "recruit " new members to Ubuntu or just fix windows issue for friends because its easier?

I no the latests stats are at least 8million users around a few months ago, i was wonder at what rate do think that figure is increasing? 100k new user per month?

Final thought
If everyone brought 1 new user tomorrow to Ubuntu, that would mean 16 million users world wide by tommorw, doubling are current market share, for just something as simple as bring JUST 1 new user,
Shouldnt Ubuntu message bring a new user to us?!


I haven't tried recruiting people. However, I got my 13-Y.O. step-brother to use Ubuntu for a while, then he moved to a pirated copy of Windows 2k. We can't seem to find any old Windows drivers, so I think he'll be crawling back very soon unless he buys a sparkly new $3000nzd Vista laptop :lol:

[ibizatunes]

"World domination here we come Jokes aside though, while I don't think it would be fair to indoctrinate everyone towards Ubuntu/away from MS, I think it would be good for everyone to at least be aware of the choice they have, and to try to clear up any misconceptions so they can make an informed choice."

The reason i dont give them much of choice is coz i dont want 2 fix there computers, because its just a bit of a p**s take! Stupid users download porn, p2p software etc etc

I may dictate that Ubuntu is my only thing i support that a bad thing? Its better, easy, and saves my weekend!? Or should i let them pick which os they want!?

[DrMega]

I may dictate that Ubuntu is that a bad thing? Its better, easy, and saves my weekend!? Or should i let them pick which os they want!?

Show them Ubuntu, perhaps off the LiveCD or on your computer, tell them you don't mind helping them with Ubuntu related issues but you really can't be bothered fixing the infinite number of Windows issues, then let them choose.

[ibizatunes]

ubuntu on a live cd isnt that great, it give them a favour but u cant do everything! ie AWN
+ Personal if i gave them the choice i think they would stick with wot they no, rather that wot is best?!

[Techwiz]

I don't believe in recruiting or evangelizing Ubuntu. I will mention Ubuntu as an option if an appropriate situation calls for it, but I don't think we should seek to expand numbers the way car salepeople do.

I agree with aysiu. You can mention it as solution (a good one at that) but don't keep pushing it.

[ibizatunes]

I c ur point.... but where will new user really come from?!
Most people at use Linux are IT people or have a interest in it,
If the public haven't heard of Linux, where will new users come from? Linux has 5% desktop share, most are IT people, there can be no more growth! Ubuntu is free, but is ran by a commercial company! They need new user 2 survive, and make its commercially viable!

[sandr-]

Myself, I got to know Ubuntu through school. Not in Unix classes ( SuSe terminal mode gave most people the creeps about unix ), but in an assignment setting up servers in a domain of all kind ( web, file, ftp, ssh, etc ). That's when I thought : this unix is so 'easy', it's fun to play around with. After a while dualbooting Windows and enjoying what is ubuntu, I discovered I was constantly in ubuntu-mode, and only going to the windows-environment to do .net programming. Now I do that with mono and/or a vmware ;)

People in my environment start to ask questions about the OS I use (" hey that's not windows !" ) and when I tell them things like: for every piece of software you use in windows ( office, ie, outlook, ... ) there is a free alternative, you can't do 'stupid' things in linux unless you really want it and have no virusses or spyware, etc ; they want to see it to believe it!

Then when I start up ubuntu with my opacity desktop, transparancy compiz cube, ... on a 1600Mhz laptop with onboard vga, they are simple impressed ! Now more and more ,regular,people that I know are experimenting and trying ubuntu linux !

[aysiu]

I no the latests stats are at least 8million users around a few months ago, i was wonder at what rate do think that figure is increasing? 100k new user per month?


I c ur point.... but where will new user really come from?!
Most people at use Linux are IT people or have a interest in it,
If the public haven't heard of Linux, where will new users come from? Linux has 5% desktop share, most are IT people, there can be no more growth! Well, clearly there is growth. Those 8 million users didn't come out of nowhere, and you appear to be the only one posting in this thread who has "converted" ten or more users.

I do not work in IT, and I just came to Ubuntu on my own. Desktop Linux is and always has been about slow, steady growth. There is no "year of the Linux desktop."

[leafhound]

Ibut I don't think we should seek to expand numbers the way car salepeople do.

very much agree with that ;-)

[oldb0y]

The freedom tho choose whatever I like, and not just talking about OS's, is somthing I cheerish very much. Therefore I don't think we should push Ubuntu onto other, like it was somekind of religion.

[Catharina]

A thought, and questions!
I have been a Ubuntu user for 6 months now - and loving it!
I now only support Ubuntu on friends computer, as i was getting hacked off with having to fix virus and spy ware issues for friends.... (if they don't use Ubuntu they can pay a shop to fix it)

I have now install ubuntu on about 10 different households computers, after each install i haven't had any reports of reliability issues.... thus giving me my weedkends back again!

Still after each install of Ubuntu they HATED Ubuntu at first, then after a month they say it better the Microsoft..... (so they ate humble pie) hehe

Im just wondering do other people find that Ubuntu is disliked at first - due to the learning curve? - ps these are users that are non techies

Also does everyone try and "recruit " new members to Ubuntu or just fix windows issue for friends because its easier?

I no the latests stats are at least 8million users around a few months ago, i was wonder at what rate do think that figure is increasing? 100k new user per month?

Final thought
If everyone brought 1 new user tomorrow to Ubuntu, that would mean 16 million users world wide by tommorw, doubling are current market share, for just something as simple as bring JUST 1 new user,
Shouldnt Ubuntu message bring a new user to us?!

Any thoughts!?!

Wow I like and understand your enthusiasm but I also recognize the fear that some have of sounding religious..

Maybe there is a way in between. Just an idea: what if there was a website setup (connected or not to Ubuntu.com) where people who are finished with Windows, could be connected to a "buddy" who helps them to transfer to Ubuntu? Pereferably in their own language...

[Daveski]

By all means feel free to educate computer users about choice. People should be aware of the choices they make and they should be free to do so. Ubunutu and Linux in general should not be promoted, but I feel that freedom to choose should.

[barbedsaber]

I have given about 10 disks out, buy only to people that know how to partion their hard drive, or know other people who know how to do it, because I am always worried that I will over write all their stuff in an attempt to set up a dual boot.

as a side note, I have learned that going on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on about how good linux is is not a good way to convert people because you sound like a <expletive deleted> and the people get too sick of you to listen, you have to wait for them to say "I am freaking sick of vista!" and then move in. :)

[sujoy]

I wouldn't put the burden of choosing a distro upon someone who hasn't even heard of linux. Just install Ubuntu or even Linux Mint.

However, if they have heard of it then you can help them in making a choice.

[KThrace]

I would be extremely reluctant to actively try to convert people to use Linux. It's just an operating system (albeit a nice one), plus I rather dislike religion, and being all evangelical about trying to convert people would not impress me at all.

Now, I might mention Ubuntu in a situation where someone has light needs for their system (eg. web browsing, email, etc). With requirements so simple, it would be easy to provide an alternative OS with very little problems. Otherwise, I just fix up systems or let them go.

[ReddogOne]

I would think that trying to push others towards linux is likely to get more than a small increase in the number of users.

When it comes down to it I only tried ubuntu because I was looking at a cooler way to watch/listen to media. Tried LinuxMCE and realised it was way too flaky so chose a random distribution (ubuntu) with the idea of sticking MythTV on it. As it happens resulted in my cheap PC now running better than my expensive one so its staying. I suspect most come to Linux for similar reasons.

Thing is Mum and Dad (and even me) will buy a PC and leave whatever is on it. And when if starts running pants they (now not including me) will get another one with whatever is on it.

I think the solution is for more things like the eeePC, maybe not mainstream but does get people more used to the idea of linux meaning when they buy the next PC (from say Dell) they may not click the windows button.

Things like ubuntu web site also need to be more Mum friendly. Front page needs two have pictures on it. One with a sickly family sitting at a PC looking at screen with a document, game, internet and education example on it. The other with a frail looking guy, with a wispy beard, brown cords and sandles on looking at a Terminal window. This way Mums and nerds can be directed to where they really want to be. (Nerds ain't what they used to be ;) )

(Hope my first post isn't pants ;) )

[oldb0y]

plus I rather dislike religion, and being all evangelical about trying to convert people would not impress me at all.

Same here...

[alexbeer]

hey

let me add my 2 cents... i have been using ubuntu for the las 3 weeks, my boss was telling me how great it was and all so installed gutsy and installation whent well, actually i had more problemes with windows xp a month earlier.

i had a few probleme with ubuntu but in most cas the prob is 2 feet from the keyboard not the software. but that is the fun of it i think just finding solution.

what i would like to see business do is to offer customer the choice of OS when you buy a computer, ex you want windows pay 300$ you want ubuntu pay for installation only. than you will see a change of hearst when peoples see how much it cost and how something else can exist for free and also that it is not that different.

any way thanks for the support this is really fun

Alexandre