On Sat, 2003-09-20 at 19:42, Alexander Henry wrote:
> JD Austin wrote:
> 
> > Alexander Henry wrote:
> >
> > The problem is that it isnt an easy migration for the less tech savy, 
> > and there isnt always an equivalent native app in windows.
> > People would rather take the easy path.
> > For those of us that know linux it's a trival matter. For the suits 
> > that have fallen for all of the M$ fud it's a hard sell.
> > I think it isnt as hard of a sell for the server market though.
-----
We humans are a fickle lot. We like what is familiar...sort of the devil
that you know being better than the one you don't know concept.

Curiously, you preceded this thread with a message about the chains
squeezing out the independent stores in downtown Tempe and there's much
similarity to this thread.

The concept of buying and re-buying the same software isn't entirely
new...people have gotten used to paying for upgrades so Microsoft
altered the rules slightly and upped the repurchase frequency to smooth
out their cash flows but people tend to take this in stride and just
open their wallets.

More to the point, everyone who actually embraces computer technology
also gets bitten by the biggest, bestest bug and they feel as though
they need the latest version of the greatest software - as if it is
really going to make a difference in their lives. I figure that 95% of
the people that use computers don't use 95% of the features of their OS,
their 'Office Productivity package' etc. The idea that someone's life is
ennobled because they use Mac OSX or Windows XP or even Linux is
entirely laughable.

It's a good thing to let people know that their are open source / free
software options. It's a good thing to use it exclusively so you are
familiar with the strengths and weaknesses and if and when someone asks
you what you use, you can proudly tell them that you kicked the
Microsoft habit and though the addiction was acute, you survived and are
better off for having made the change.

With the exception of non-profit businesses, Microsoft on the desktops
might very well be the best choice - even with the associated price tag
for licensing because many business managers / decision makers don't
have enough computer knowledge to take the risk of dancing with the
unknown.

Craig