Is there a way to tame the multi-prong selling points of Linux?

[diablo75]

It seems like, these days, people are turned off to Linux because they think it's too good to be true. It's free, practically virus proof.... I've already said enough, and they think I'm high.

If your goal was to convert people, how might you go about doing it?

[jespdj]

25 Reasons to Convert to Linux (http://www.bellevuelinux.org/reasons_to_convert.html)

I'd just show them my Ubuntu desktop and all the cool applications running on it.

[diablo75]

Yeah, it seems like a visual demo plus testimony of those who have converted is the best, in my experience...

[madjr]

the documentary "the code Linux"

then small less than 2 min cool compiz fusion videos :)

oh yeah and no viruses, keyloggers, trojans, defrag, registry errors, malware, spyware, etc.

[aaaantoine]

Give them a Live CD of your favorite distro to try out.

...Unless a Live CD of your favorite distro doesn't exist. I'm looking at you, Gentoo users.

[bufsabre666]

Give them a Live CD of your favorite distro to try out.

...Unless a Live CD of your favorite distro doesn't exist. I'm looking at you, Gentoo users.

there are gentoo live cds
http://www.gentoo.org/main/en/where.xml

[Frak]

Give them a Live CD of your favorite distro to try out.

...Unless a Live CD of your favorite distro doesn't exist. I'm looking at you, Gentoo users.
They have LiveCD's, but the packages are still compiled upon installation.

Anyways, Windows has exposed people to the stereotype that free means spyware filled, possibly virus ridden, poorly written software. The only way to sway the opinion is the key element to any marketing class:

Let the customer use the product so they feel a sense of ownership over it. This will allow the customer to come with a better understanding of the product and will be more likely for the customer to purchase/subscribe to the product.

Give'em a live CD, tell them to use it for awhile, trying out all the features, explain the pro's and con's (not telling the customer something that is a con is lying by omision. PLEASE don't act like GNU/Linux is perfect) and let them have a feel for it. If they like it, they may use it, if they don't, they don't.

[aaaantoine]

there are gentoo live cds
http://www.gentoo.org/main/en/where.xml

They have LiveCD's, but the packages are still compiled upon installation.


I stand corrected. I originally figured that due to its very nature, a Gentoo Live CD would be impossible.

But yes, in my experience, there's no good way to demonstrate Linux without either showing people your own system or giving them a Live CD to play with.