If you want to position Linux against MS to the general public, then you
have to show apps that allow one to do everything that a MS machine can do.
Word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, database, email, Internet
browsing, graphics, photo editing, games, etc. in a GUI environment that
looks like Windows (so I don't have to learn a new GUI!).

A comparison between the top 10 selling consumer software packages (with
prices) and the Linux equivalents (should be better not just equivalent to
make the sale) with prices would make a good argument. Put all these Linux
packages on a machine, show the hardware/software cost is much less than the
equivalent MS machine, and you have a demo. Of course, a savvy consumer will
ask about support.......and the answer will be?????

You might even be able to sell a few bundled systems if there were some
support available. I wonder what the split is between the MS and Linux sales
for Dell??

Just my 2 cents.

Mark Phillips

> -----Original Message-----
> From: plug-discuss-admin@lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us
> [mailto:plug-discuss-admin@lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us]On Behalf Of Derek
> Neighbors
> Sent: Thursday, December 13, 2001 4:38 PM
> To: plug-discuss@lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us
> Subject: Re: Possible project (was Re: US states want MS Office ported
> toLinux (fwd))
>
>
> What is it that you are gonna demo exactly?  Im just curious,
> as having a
> few people stand around a terminal and just bag on how
> horrible microsoft
> is, isnt very effective evangelism.
>
> Not saying that is what would be done or what is proposed,
> but if there
> isnt something 'specific' that one has in mind to actually
> demonstrate or
> speak on, I can see it easily turning into that.  Not because our
> representatives would want that, but generally the public is
> pissed at
> microsoft and if you explain that its an alternative they
> will be quick to
> start listing the evils m$ has done to them, and lets face
> it, its hard
> to not sympathize with that. ;)
>
> On that note, a rep from a Nashville LUG has invited some of our team
> (GNUe) to come speak for them.  In speaking more with their
> group they
> have a KILLER concept.  They are doing FREE CLASSES on
> GNU/Linux.  Where
> they make REAL course material and schedule a semester and
> require a book
> etc.  They are then turning the courses out as free for other
> LUGS to use
> and are making a system to schedule classes etc etc etc.
>
> I think something like this would be WONDERFUL.  Especially for
> 'newbies'/'programmers'.  I was thinking of perhaps making
> course material
> for a 8 or 12 week course on GNOME 101 or PYTHON 101.  When I
> hear things
> like this Fry's marketing, it would make sense if we were
> offerring such
> courses to be able to offer them to 'learn more'.  An install
> fest for
> example is nice, but it puts GNU/Linux on their machine and
> then 'what do
> they do with it', if we had something like LINUX BASICS or
> something the
> first week or two would be install and get devices working
> and the the
> rest of the weeks would be getting up to speed on the desktop and
> environment etc...
>
> Just some ideas.  Brian maybe sequioa could let us use some
> rooms for this
> kind of stuff?  We could even offer the courses to their students and
> their families if they so desired.
>
>  --Derek
>
> On Thu, 13 Dec 2001, Jim wrote:
>
> > The toughest thing to do is to get people to commit time
> for an uspecified
> > time.  If a time gets firmed up, you can almost always get
> bodies to help.
> >
> > On Thursday 13 December 2001 14:47, you wrote:
> > > "der.hans" wrote:
> > > > I might be able to get us in Frys in Tempe as well.
> We've got to have
> > > > volunteers who will commit to supporting the demos if
> we go into Frys.
> > >
> > > Maybe I could commit to 4 hours if the timing were right.
> > >
> > > Vic
> > > ________________________________________________
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