Alright, Tennesseans, what's on your mind?

[MrMosier]

I thought that since no one has started our forum with any posts whatsoever, I would throw out the first bone. So, folks, what problems do you see that specifically affect Tennesseans deciding to switch to Ubuntu?

[n3gbz]

Great to see the Tennessee forum started!!!

Promotion and educaton are high priority in my book. Most people I encounter have never heard of Ubuntu, Floss, Linux, OpenSource, etc.

The more people who hear about the world of OpenSource and the more often they hear about it, the easier it will become to convert the world to OpenSource. I offer CDs and recommend books and articles and do occasional presentations on OpenSource. Within my sphere of influence, knowledge of OpenSource is growing but we are a long way from reaching critical mass.

I receive personal satisfaction when I see the light come on as people realize that they do indeed have the "Freedom of Choice".

[saxonjf]

There's total ignorance of Ubuntu, and what computer users know of Linux in Nashville, they think its just for Vandy tech geeks.

I can't find anyone in Nashville who is at my level: well above ignorance, liking to use it, and preferring it to *******, but also able to talk about it in english.

I went to the NLUG at Vandy, and I think they were speaking Swahili, but I can't be sure. Something about jails, and BSD, and there was no support, just tech geeks going over storing information in places only certain people could get to.

I am disappointed, because I want a group I can sit down with and go over issues, and learn new ideas.

None of the books ever help because they are still all on Edgy.

Anyway, bascially, I am ccaught between the people who have rocks in their heads, and the hard place to learn anything about Linux or OSS without already having a BS in Comp. Sci.

[xang]

Heya! Glad to hear there are some TN individuals interested in Linux and the Open Source community!

I work in the Franklin area and live in Murfreesboro. I have been evangelizing some around town in the 'Boro. I have even brought my system76 laptop loaded with Beryl and the like to show off.
Funny thing is, the eye candy generates a lot of WOW factor, but the fact that there are other programs out there (read: open source) that can do what users want without plunking down major $$$ is what generates the most interest. I have discussed several open source alternatives for word processing,graphics, even programming IDE(s) and the like. People have generally been open to the idea, and I have even burned and given away several Ubuntu Live CDs.
I think people would love to change but think it may leave them short when it comes to software. I just try to show them that if they wanted to try Linux and OSS out, they would actually have more options than they have with their current OS. Power to the community!

Xang.

[tideline]

Glad to see some posts on the forum!!

Basically, coming from someone who works with Open Source on a daily basis and seeing acceptance at both my current employer (a very large media company) and my previous employer gives me hope. However, there is still a lot of ignorance about open source software due to the FUD and non-main stream aspect of it. There are those people who think Linux is only for hackers or what ever you want to call them. I have personally attended a meeting where a contractor told the Principal of a school that there is no one in Knoxville who knows Linux, and it's more expensive and less secure than M$ windows. This kind of stuff goes on every day. I guess he didn't know about the 200+ servers my company uses that have linux installed on them. And our office is across the street from his =D>

Hope we can help make a change...


Mike

[forpeterssake]

This forum is a great idea. I think it will be much easier to work together in a forum as opposed to an email list or IRC chat.

I'm based in Nashville/Franklin, and I know very few people outside of Vanderbilt that use Linux. But I think now is the time to help them make the switch. My firm is already leaning that direction -- they've switched to Thunderbird/Firefox on their computers, and I've gained some interest about OpenOffice. They're still chained to Windows due to some proprietary programs, but even those problems are disappearing as the providers are switching to Web-based services rather than on-board applications.

That said, I really use Linux most for personal use, rather than professional. I think the low cost of use is extremely important for non-profits, educational institutions, etc. But I'm also quite interested in how it can help rehabilitate older machines. I've only been using Ubuntu for about a year, but I was amazed how well Xubuntu ran on my old desktop. I've been contemplating installing Xubuntu on my grandparents' computer so they can get more mileage out of the hardware and not worry about security flaws.

It sounds like I may be in the general category as saxonjf -- not a C.S. major, but a user with general computer knowledge. I appreciate the hardcore folks that make it all work, but the reason I picked Ubuntu as a distro was its accessibility to everyday people.

[jjtechno]

This is most excellent news. Down here in Chattanooga, we are a small but growing group of folks.
Regards

[todd_p_3]

I find the average user unwilling to give up on Windows. I have yet to convert completely. I have not grasped the ins and outs of Wine, so I still use Windows for games. So Wine is on my mind.

[tideline]

todd, that is a very valid concern. A lot of people _only_ use their machines for gameing. Personally, I don't have a lot of time for games, but I do keep that odd, windows machine around simply for when the gameing bug hits me. With that said, that windows machine doesn't get run much... My son's lappy is Edubuntu, my other machines are all Linux. Once Wine/Cedega are better supported, I think adoption will be better.

[boogiepop88]

i tried to use cedega for a little bit but had an older video card that wasnt supported at the time, i havent tried since i bought a new nvidia card and have had less time to game, but agreed that is a hurdle. Same here no CS, i am a PC Tech for a major retailer, but i can help with and answer 98% questions that would be coming from a new user. I've gotten about 9 total people i know now running ubuntu as opposed to windows. they like it a lot. i think a lot of people once you start talking about price they really start listening. Vista Machine running Aeroglass? expensive... A solid cost effecient ubuntu box running beryl/compiz, people get interested, plus free software, they will usually listen for a moment. I've even had people say "Is this legal?"