The Greatest Flaw In Linux - Advocacy

I'll (ab)use Michel de Montaigne's words to excuse my partially
contradicting myself by propagating this report (SeeBeLow
Montaigne's words -- and take note, SP ;)) ::

I must accommodate my history to the hour: I may presently
change, not only by fortune, but also by intention. 'Tis a
counterpart of various and changeable accidents, and of
irresolute imaginations, and, as it falls out, sometimes
contrary: whether it be that I am then another self, or that
I take subjects by other circumstances and considerations: so
it is, that I may peradventure contradict myself, but, as
Demades said, I never contradict the truth. Could my soul
once take footing, I would not essay but resolve: but it is
always learning and making trial.
*- Michel Eyquem, Seigneur de Montaigne (1533-1592),
The Complete Essays, XIV. OF REPENTANCE,
http://www.aber.ac.uk/~jmcwww/Montaigne/

Commentary: The Greatest Flaw In Linux
Date: 2003.02.15 8:41
Author: roblimo [someone familiar to Messrs Chuong & Loc]
Topic: Advocacy
http://newsforge.com/article.pl?sid=03/02/15/1342225
- By Patrick 'LinuxAddict' Pauwels -

The largest flaw with Linux is not in its ease of use or
installation. There's no crisis with lack of software. The
hardware support is solid. Actually, I feel Linux is very much
ready for the masses. The greatest flaw with Linux is that
nobody knows what it is.

"That's a constant internet connection, isn't it?" inquires one
of my friends after telling him I upgraded to Linux. "So what
are you running now, DOS?" asks another, after telling her I
got rid of Windows. I remember when I didn't know what Linux
was. If people only know about Windows and Microsoft, how do we
expect them to try Linux? Surely Microsoft didn't get Windows
on over 90% of the world's desktops by just sitting back and
waiting for it to catch on.

Word of mouth is a good thing. Actually, it's a great thing. By
telling friends and others about Linux, you increase the
potential Linux user base. Maybe you even did a good thing if
someone was frustrated with what they formerly ran, and now run
and like Linux. If you tell people about Linux, keep it up,
you're making a difference. But there is an even greater
opportunity that lies out there. Linux is definitely ready for
the desktop, and it's time we spread the word. To everyone.

Flipping through your favorite Linux magazines, you've probably
seen ads for various Linux distributions. "You win 8.1!"
declares an advertisement for SuSE Linux 8.1 in Linux Format
magazine. Did I need to know that? No, I already knew about
SuSE, and run 8.1 on my computer. Did you need to know that? If
you read this site, you have probably already seen tons of news
regarding SuSE 8.1, have read the articles and reviews, and
decided on whether you are or aren't going to buy SuSE's latest
release. But would someone reading a car or fashion magazine
care to learn about SuSE, or any other Linux distribution for
that matter? You never know. It is my opinion that advertising
money that Linux distributions use would be better placed in
pretty much any magazine but a Linux magazine, where we can
target converts. And if key words like "cheap", "stable", and
"easy to use" are mentioned, there is a good shot we could get
people who were never interested or even heard of Linux before
to at least go to a website to learn more.

The brave people will switch. These pioneers will increase our
market share. More software will come, along with more drivers,
reducing current existing hardware problems. You will be able
to get Dells and Gateways with Linux. More people will switch.
The more people we get to switch, the more mainstream and
accommodating Linux will become. For example, take a look back
a few years ago. How accommodating was Linux in 1995? Has the
fact that it has became more mainstream gained it market share
from more people, causing it to become more mainstream getting
larger market share from the more mainstream, causing Linux to
become more mainstream? How much more accommodating will Linux
be in 2005 if even more mainstream buyers switch?

It's time we start spreading the word to everyone. One ad for
Linux in Time would do more for switching people than 10 ads
for Linux in Linux magazines. It's time we spread the good news
-- that you do have a choice.

Links:
"Patrick 'LinuxAddict' Pauwels" -
mailto:mookytea-no@spam-yahoo.com
<end>

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