Another Comp. Store Supports Ubuntu

[ARhere]

Just a quick note of success.

This weekend a local Gulf Coast computer store, Nine Tech Computers (formally T-9 Computers, 2758 Bienville Blvd, Ocean Springs, MS 39564 228-872-1990), agreed to start selling and supporting Ubuntu machines. His goal is to sell Ubuntu machines that are a lot cheaper (due to software, not hardware) to convince a customer to buy that would normally be turned off by a higher price with paid-for software. The business model he is running with is computer support and not profits from PC sales. He let me assemble a new Ubuntu PC using his parts to be demonstrated next to a Vista PC and he wants help finding professional fliers, posters, and handouts. I also agreed to guide him through support calls until he feels comfortable with Ubuntu. I think the demo PC next to a Windows PC is a good approach as it will allow a customer to decide for themselves if they like it. (That one is for you Aysiu) :lolflag:

I finished the demo PC and it is the standard Ubuntu 8.04 install, (theme and desktop left default), with Ubuntu extras installed, Compiz-Fusion setting increased with a lot of neat effects, and all hardware went through a 24 hour burn-in test. I also installed neat apps that demonstrates Ubuntu's key strengths like...
1. Legal copy of Return to Castle Wolfenstien under WINE with high settings.
2. Google Earth for Linux
3. Banshee music player and iPod controls
4. Evolution Email set up with working email account.
5. Google Desktop and Firefox Youtube sidebar expansion pack.

I also included on the desktop links to...
1. These Ubuntu Forums (http://ubuntuforums.org/)
2. The main Ubuntu website (http://www.ubuntu.com/)
3. The Ubuntu Guide (http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Hardy)
4. An argument for Linux over Windows (http://www.whylinuxisbetter.net/)

Also I downloaded and placed on the desktop a few of the better Linux advertising videos on youtube.
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4deyX_GFz08
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwL0G9wK8j4&feature=related
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLHjT5-XM9o
4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTHCYjFWqHA

Enjoy,
-AR

(NOTE: This is a duplicated from a post on this thread (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=820800&page=4), but I am afraid it was lost in the weeds.)

[Vadi]

Why couldn't you install Savage 1 or an ETQW demo, no wine?

That's pretty cool though. One thing I'd recommend is make the wallpaper display some of the common compiz shortcuts.

[ARhere]

Why couldn't you install Savage 1 or an ETQW demo, no wine?
I wanted to demonstrate WINE as an option for games that do not have a Linux port. I really wanted to install WoW or EVE but I am not willing to donate $30 a month for the accounts.


That's pretty cool though. One thing I'd recommend is make the wallpaper display some of the common compiz shortcuts.
Good idea. I will modify the current default wallpaper with shortcut keys so they can play with the effects.

-AR

[toupeiro]

Sounds cool, but it really sounds like he is asking you putting forth a lot of your time and resources to help this guy make money on open source offerings. I hope you are getting your cut. :)

Source is open, but that doesn't mean your time has to be. Either way you look at it, he is making money off of your time, 50% of something is better than 100% of nothing. :)

There are enough screenshots out there of wow and other games and apps running on ubuntu that you can create some pretty good fliers. Head over to a kinko's and do some plots or standard prints .. and make sure they are on the stores dime, not yours ;) Sorry if I keep circling back to that, I just don't like for-profit establishments taking advantage of people, even if they are trying to do something as cool as host open source focused products.

[Vadi]

I wouldn't brand it as taking advantage yet - atm, we should be thankful he decided to offer ubuntu. Then, if it gets really good, you work something out.

[madjr]

I finished the demo PC and it is the standard Ubuntu 8.04 install, (theme and desktop left default)

default looks is not very attractive. You need eye candy if you want to sell.

remove bottom panel and install AWN + applets
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWqqB1F0AEU

you may leave the current wallpaper if you like

if you want an idea of cool desktops look at the june 2008 thread:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=814489

also you should promote that ubuntu does not get infected by Viruses or spyware.

Make a shortcut in the desktop for ADD/REMOVE. Rename it Software Catalog. All available applications by default.

the ingredients for a successful sale are:

cheaper than the competition
better looking than the competition
faster than the competition
more secure than the competition
easier to use, best startup setup than the competition


software:

-google picassa.
-VLC
-Ubuntu tweak. http://getdeb.net/
-Deskbar applet/gnome-do.

for chat software install emesene and galaxium messenger.
http://code.google.com/p/galaxium/wiki/Screenshots


Pidgin is really bad for a first experience
http://contentconsumer.com/2008/04/27/is-ubuntu-useable-enough-for-my-girlfriend/

some problems first timers will encounter:
http://ubunite.com/content/view/66/

take some pics and post it back here. The competition is rough, you should be rougher.

Important note 1:
Ubuntu is not for everyone (specially hardcore gamers and people who need specific windows software for *work*). It's good for everything else and some lighter gaming. Try to sell some linux powered netbooks also.


Important note 2:
Convince the store to dual-boot ubuntu on most windows computers. It's a great tool for support tasks and should make things easier. Just don't make the ubuntu partition very big (5 - 8gb would be enough). Dual-boot systems are a good selling point IMO. Ubuntu is always a good rescue tool and an alternative to spyware free web browsing, etc.

Note 3: You could remaster you modified ubuntu install or get the linuxmint 5 cd to cut down on re-install time/troubleshoot/support.

[Vadi]

"for chat software install emesene and galaxium messenger. " I disagree, I found emesene to crash often (like when I'm not connected to the net, or just made an account). Pidgin is a much better first choice

[MONODA]

Great job!:D You have some really good ideas and I think that ubuntu would look really good the way you set it up. I think you should not modify the software that you have installed (what I mean is do not install emesene, awn etc, the apps you have are great) I dont think you should install awn since I think you should keep the ubuntu look as default, it looks awesome :P. The links you provided are great and I really think some of them should be in the firefox bookmark bar by default. Where do you live?(I aks this because of the codecs, you do know they are not legal in the US right?) If you live outside the US, I suggest you suggest to the store to keep copies of ubuntu and linux mint (pretty and official looking ones of course (like the ones from os-disc.com or from miggols99's store) and have an explaination of the differences. How about having mint, ubuntu and Xp computers nex to each other with a stack of mint and ubuntu disc next to them (kinda like AOL CDs lol). I dont think selling computers with a dual-boot is a good idea (unless the customer asks for it of course) since it somewhat cripples the linux experience I feel.

[ARhere]

Thanks for all the input!


...but it really sounds like he is asking you putting forth a lot of your time and resources to help this guy make money.
I know. I gain nothing ATM but satisfaction. Any support questions that go his way will most likely be redirected to me, and I won't be free then. He understands that and is ok with it as long as I am a contract support basis.
I see nothing wrong with making money from software, but am driven more by what I accomplish.


default looks is not very attractive. You need eye candy if you want to sell. Correct, but I do not want to risk making the customer feeling deceived because his/her new PC looks nothing like the cool demo. Along with the demo will be LOTS of information about stuff like that, including one of the demo videos.
New PCs will contain LOTS of paper information and electronic videos on DVD with everything useful I can think of. I will get paid for that.


Where do you live? erm.... uhm.... The new PC's will be shipped with default settings for DVD and MP3 playback and a small leaflet like this (https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RestrictedFormats). I will handle that exactly as Ubuntu does.
Personally, If a copy of Ubuntu was sold for $15 and included DVD and MP3 playback, I would buy it. JMO


take some pics and post it back here. The competition is rough, you should be rougher.
Absolutely!

BY THE WAY, I am using these awesome materials (https://wiki.ubuntu.com/MarketingTeam/Materials) for the advertisements.
-AR

[Lostincyberspace]

Why not the Linux native version of "Return to Castle Wolfenstein" instead of running through wine.

[gameryoshi600]

use one PC and call it the No cool effects demo PC then the next one will have awesome effects.

[madjr]

use one PC and call it the No cool effects demo PC then the next one will have awesome effects.

+1

you need to showcase some bling bling on another PC

show the potential.

people usually just think that linux is a "cheap" and severely outdated or underpowered against other OSs.

the future is linux, show em why.

[madjr]

"for chat software install emesene and galaxium messenger. " I disagree, I found emesene to crash often (like when I'm not connected to the net, or just made an account). Pidgin is a much better first choice

umm, never had that problem and i use it daily

but if you ever read this article you'll know why>
http://contentconsumer.com/2008/04/27/is-ubuntu-useable-enough-for-my-girlfriend/

[sdowney717]

great idea.
I was wondering about one thing selling these with ubuntu installed.
Can you install all the extra non free codecs, etc... or just leave it up to the users to install these? Even Canonical wont automatically give you these unless they are properly licensed, which they have done with this product.
http://tombuntu.com/index.php/2008/06/03/canonical-announces-the-ubuntu-netbook-remix/
from the article

Ubuntu Netbook Remix will be available only to OEMs because Canonical has licensed proprietary media codecs and other software including Adobe Flash. I hope that there will be a freely available version to install on netbooks that don’t come with it preinstalled. The press release says that the first devices with the Remix will be out “later in 2008″.

[Vadi]

No, I'm not going to apply an experiment done to 1 person to everybody else.

Pidgin out of 500k ubuntu users that enabled statistics is used reguarly by 55,192 people, while emesene just by 3,224. Something tells me everybody isn't jumping over on the MSN train.

[sdowney717]

I run aMSN since I chat with windows users.

http://www.amsn-project.net/

[ARhere]

+1

you need to showcase some bling bling on another PC

show the potential.

people usually just think that linux is a "cheap" rip off other OSs

I cannot do that. It's not my shop and he wants one PC for Vista, and one for Ubuntu.

-AR

[gameryoshi600]

I cannot do that. It's not my shop and he wants one PC for Vista, and one for Ubuntu.

-AR

Use 2 for Ubuntu (one for default stuff and the other for the "bling") and 2 for vista (Both should just use aero). 2 is always better than one! :guitar:

[Swarms]

I think you should lean up at Ubuntu, the only bling you should add is the desktop effects found under Appearance. If you show a box with "hey look how cool you can get your desktop to look by installing awn and other programs through a command prompt or by downloading .debs", you will have lost potentially new Ubuntu users right from the start. Instead meet them with, you can make your desktop look neat by going to System -> Preferences -> Appearance -> Visual Effect.

Give the image of Ubuntu being a finished product, perfect capable of doing the normal daily stuff like surfing the web, mails, word processing etc., which it indeed is.

Edit: stick with the programs that follow with Ubuntu, except programs like Wine, these new potentially users shouldn't get confused until they get curious about what their system is capable of and realize that they have the freedom to find out.

[Lord Xeb]

I think you should lean up at Ubuntu, the only bling you should add is the desktop effects found under Appearance. If you show a box with "hey look how cool you can get your desktop to look by installing awn and other programs through a command prompt or by downloading .debs", you will have lost potentially new Ubuntu users right from the start. Instead meet them with, you can make your desktop look neat by going to System -> Preferences -> Appearance -> Visual Effect.

Give the image of Ubuntu being a finished product, perfect capable of doing the normal daily stuff like surfing the web, mails, word processing etc., which it indeed is.

Edit: stick with the programs that follow with Ubuntu, except programs like Wine, these new potentially users shouldn't get confused until they get curious about what their system is capable of and realize that they have the freedom to find out.

I support this :)

[swoll1980]

default looks is not very attractive. You need eye candy if you want to sell.

remove bottom panel and install AWN + applets
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWqqB1F0AEU



Awn is ugly

[zmjjmz]

Maybe you should install wine-doors too.

[madjr]

I cannot do that. It's not my shop and he wants one PC for Vista, and one for Ubuntu.

-AR

i don't even think you showed off the full potential to the store owner.

you're selling ubuntu like if it were just the "cheap" alternative.

you're making Vista seemed like the "full" experience.

i own a computer store in my country and i know what am talking about.

We have both Vista and Ubuntu PCs and by no means we let people think is the "cheap" alt.

Also, we offer most Vista computers with a dual-boot option with ubuntu.

Most clients go for the Dual-boot or the ubuntu options. They rarely just go for the ones running Vista only.

They like to feel secure that if anything happens to windows they could still use their computers thanks to ubuntu.

Some go back and thank us. They lost the fear to linux and start using it just as much or more than windows. In fact our windows machines come with FOSS (openoffice, firefox, 7zip, gimp, VLC)

people love this Vista vs ubuntu video you should showcase it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xC5uEe5OzNQ

fusioncast has awesome and updated videos too:
http://fusioncast.blogspot.com/

Practical uses of desktop effects
http://fusioncast.blogspot.com/2007/12/video-practical-uses-of-desktop-effects.html

[ARhere]

It is a small shop, and there is only room for two demo PC's. He took down the Windows XP PC to make room for the Ubuntu PC. It is not my store so it is not my call.

I am not trying to make Vista appear as the "full experience" as we are not setting it up this way at all. I will make sure to present Ubuntu as an alternative that gives you everything, possibly more then Vista, for a cheaper price tag. Everyone I have showed Ubuntu have never seen it as a "cheaper then" Vista, but an equal alternative then Vista that gives you more.

Less Expensive != Cheap

-AR

[zmjjmz]

For that matter, how has it gone so far?

[ARhere]

For that matter, how has it gone so far?

I am set to deliver the PC, handouts, CD's, and posters/advertisements this Saturday.

The PC is done, with a few things left. I need a Linux program like Norton Ghost HDD to back up the PC, so I don't have to worry about fixing it every week.

He gave me money to make a bunch of CD's and I have a buddy in a graphics department that will print the handouts and fliers on his color lazer. All that is left is trying to figure out how to get the posters done as they can get expensive.

-AR

[madjr]

It is a small shop, and there is only room for two demo PC's. He took down the Windows XP PC to make room for the Ubuntu PC. It is not my store so it is not my call.

I am not trying to make Vista appear as the "full experience" as we are not setting it up this way at all. I will make sure to present Ubuntu as an alternative that gives you everything, possibly more then Vista, for a cheaper price tag. Everyone I have showed Ubuntu have never seen it as a "cheaper then" Vista, but an equal alternative then Vista that gives you more.

Less Expensive != Cheap

-AR

ok, that's good to know.

yea, can be a bit tricky if you're not the owner.

IME if marketed right ubuntu is great.

i wish you guys luck.

[madjr]

I am set to deliver the PC, handouts, CD's, and posters/advertisements this Saturday.

The PC is done, with a few things left. I need a Linux program like Norton Ghost HDD to back up the PC, so I don't have to worry about fixing it every week.

He gave me money to make a bunch of CD's and I have a buddy in a graphics department that will print the handouts and fliers on his color lazer. All that is left is trying to figure out how to get the posters done as they can get expensive.

-AR

i use remastersys

it creates good backups or live-cd/dvd images if i want to share with a friend

[ARhere]

The computer is ready. Thanks for all of your suggestions.
-AR

[zmjjmz]

Just a suggestion, make the gnome-system-monitor more palatable to the eye.

[madjr]

Just a suggestion, make the gnome-system-monitor more palatable to the eye.

or remove gnome-system-monitor from the panel :)

the top panel is way too big, you remind me of the first time i started selling ubuntu PCs.

the cube looks nice.

the writing (note) in the desktop background is ugly.

install screenlets and leave the notes.
http://getdeb.net/release.php?id=2748

you should get a few good options to further cuztomize with ubuntu-tweak
http://getdeb.net/release.php?id=2750

your setup looks a bit too cluttered to get people saying WOW

remember to take a look at june desktops thread and gnome-look
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=814489

http://www.gnome-look.org/