How to Encourage Use of OSS?

Marc Light asks: "I repair computers as a side line cause I want to keep up on what's going on in the world of computer technicians. When someone comes to me with a problem, if I have to reinstall I first try to convince them to install Ubuntu. For now I only have 25% of success, mostly because they usually use an app. or some hardware that would complicate their experience too much. When I install Windows, I also install Firefox, OpenOffice, VLC, Winamp (not open source but if they eventually switch to Linux, XMMS won't scare them), and CDex to drive them off Windows Media Player and DRM. I then take 15 to 30 minutes free of charge to explain to them the basics of their new software. For my part, I mostly got positive response. I'd say 80% of it is positive feedback. My questions to Slashdot readers: Do you think that computer technicians can make a difference in the adoption of OSS? And if they're for OSS, should they try to put some pressure on their users/clients?"

Converting

[silverkniveshotmail.]

I really don't like the idea of trying to convert people.

Take the Force Out of Your Method

[eldavojohn]

And if they're for OSS, should they try to put some pressure on their users/clients?

You may feel like you're fighting the good fight and putting up a valiant effort but the last thing I want is people who have bad Linux/OSS experiences out there telling everyone about them. I mean, I can think of several people that would actually be detrimental to your cause if you pressured them into using OSS.

The beautiful thing about OSS is that it's free. And you're not forced to use it (like Dell forces people to use Windows). Let's keep it that way.

Please only install this software on their machines if they give you permission. If their computer stops working soon after or they experience problems that they don't understand (file associations), they may just quietly blame it on those applications and tell that to all their friends and relatives.

Keep doing what you're doing

[bit trollent]

Talk down to everyone that uses Windows.

Use phrases like, "I guess if you are willing to accept that level of insecurity" even if you don't know of any real security flaw in what you are describing.

Assume that every Windows user simply doesn't know better.

Laugh at someone's choice of programming language. Ignore the fact that they make better software than you do. Just harp on the fact that they use IIS while you use Apache.

In short, just be a pompous ass. Don't let the facts or manners get in your way. The converts will come running. Or walk away laughing. Either way: believe you win. The truth is really far too sad.

hmm,

[joe 155]

I'm all for converting as many people as possible, and I think there are some areas where you can make a real difference, like Firefox, because it will do what they want it to and they don't have to think about anything new or different. I've not even been able to get my girlfriend to agree to only have linux PCs in the house. She thinks she only know windows and that's all she wants. It's the same with my mum. I've shown them new things, triend to encourage... all for nought.

Some people just don't want to change - and they are the vast majority of people... These are also the same people who complain the second something doesn't work on linux and yet put up with endless crashes with windows (because windows never causes problems). I'm amazed that you have a 25% rate. Maybe you should be posting to use about how you have such a good level?

How about just doing your job

[0racle]

Why not just do your job and fix their computer like they asked you to. Would you like your waiter to try and convince you to change your order because they don't think it's right to eat lamb?

Careful

[Tinfoil]

You should suggest it, but don't try to convince them unless they ask for more information. Put together a sheet comparing the two operating systems and give them a live CD, but I would leave it at that. Besides, if they come back afterwards and say, I like this live CD, can you put it on the drive, you get more cashish.

Technicians can play a role in getting the word out on FOSS and you seem to be doing a good job with FF and OO. Just remember that you don't know how they use their computer and perhaps Linux just is not right for that user.

Install it

[penguinbrat]

If your installing all this other software for them, install something that is OSS and would do the same as VMWare and an image of Linux. Set it up so they can delete it VERY easy, doesn't take up TO much space and takes a simple double click to get a taste of this mystical creature.

consequences

[1u3hr]

Anyone who's helped a computer-challenged friend or colleague is tempted to prescribe sweeping changes. The problem is, that no matter how much better the methods, applications or even OS you recommend, you are responsible in their mind for every problem they encounter from then on.

Long ago I helped a guy rationalise his laptop; upgraded DOS, and Wordperfect (shows how long ago this was...). Then weeks later I get a call "I can't save my file! You've messed up my computer! It worked before!!! etc...". Turns out he was trying to use an illegal filename. So a problem he created that had nothing to do with what I had done, had become my problem. And this continued for months. It only takes a few people like that to sour you on the whole idea, and you revert to "Reformat and reinstall; call MS if it doesn't work". Beware those who nod and agree when you make suggestions, often they have no idea what is going on and will come back to you time and time again to ask the same question and drive you insane. Unless you're either a BOFH or Mahatma Gandhi, don't be a suggester.

Re:How about just doing your job

[Monkofdoom]

I feel the difference between do and suggest is of great importance in such situations as this. No one can argue that the suggestion of new "free" software is a bad one to any user. Simply implementing your own personal choice on someone elses property is completely wrong though. When I give talks with presentations I always use open source software and it is amazing how often people come up to me afterwards and say "that looked so much better than powerpoint what is it?" or "What browser was that you used?" My personal oppinion is by letting people know it is there anyone who will be a benefit to the community of oss users will eventually catch on.

The Problem & the Solution

[eldavojohn]

I agree. The person who submitted this story is clearly trying to fix something that's probably not borken.

How to Encourage Use of OSS?

If you really want to champion this movement, you have to recognize the problem before you can start to offer people solutions. You mention installing OSS apps that you seem to enjoy on everyone's machine.

While you may feel that this is doing them a world of good, what problem did you solve? Did they complain to you that they were sick of DRM? Did they complaining that they wish they hadn't bought MS Office and long for a free suite of editing and publishing tools? Was IE failing to fill its role in their lives? ... probably not.

For the average person, there are few problems with their computer experiences. If they have issues with security online or troubles coming up with the cash for MS Office, then you have definite problems that need solutions. And OSS is there for them, that's when it's your duty to step in and offer your services and free 15-30 minutes of time to explain how this new software works. Nobody wants to climb extra learning curves and, let's face it, commercial software products are usually years ahead of their OSS competitors.

A lot of open source applications are developed to satisfy a very specific problem. That is, they don't have a breadth of system requirements, just very very specific ones. They may come out fulfilling these few requirements far and above their competitors but they often lack the bells and whistles. For instance, I love CDex because it's simple and slimmed down with no DRM. Does this mean that my sister should also want to use it? No. She doesn't care or know what DRM is and my explanations bore her. Instead, she wants quick instant American gratification at the click of a button. iTunes gives this to her, CDex is ugly and foreign with no online tutorials or music store built into it.

So before you ask me how to encourage the use of OSS, you first need to tell me the problem that OSS needs to solve. I'm guessing for a lot of these people, there isn't one. Unfortunately, OSS is simply not for everyone.

If someone comes to you in distress with a problem, simply say, "you know, I use this app that ..." or if someone comes to you with obvious little money say, "you know, there are all these free tools out there ..." That's when you'll really do people some good -- not when you force it down their throats and tell them that their trusty expensive apps are the devil.

Re:Converting

[silverkniveshotmail.]

If you're not trying to convert isn't that enough?

Re:Converting

[ThinkingInBinary]

I really don't like the idea of trying to convert people.

Why not? All they're trying to do is share something that they think is useful and good. It's entirely different from trying to convert someone religiously--it's not like we're saying "If you don't use this software instead, you're going to HELL!!!". It's just saying "Hey, in case you're interested, there is software that's free, useful, and developed cooperatively for the fun of it, instead of by companies." There's nothing wrong with it.

I know it can be awkward sometimes, and I'm not really comfortable just shoving it into people's faces, but there's nothing wrong with offering it.

Re:Converting

[kfg]

I really don't like the idea of trying to convert people.

And yet isn't that exactly what an ad for a product is trying to do? At the very least people need to be informed of their options to even know they have them.

I don't like the use of his word "pressure," but I have no problem with proseltizing things I like, particularly if I am the one being called upon to support them, but don't otherwise have a direct profit motive (which just make the issue "sales," and I've been willing to sell stuff in my life).

"Are you sure you want those brakes? They're junk. Here's why. Here are brakes that are twice as good for half the price. You're welcome."

What's wrong with that, especially given that I am not the one selling and profiting from the brakes? I only try to make 'em work right. Brakes that work right in the first place are easier to make work right.

Ever try to make Windows work right? Isn't one of the biggest impediments to OSS getting someone knowledgable to get it working right for you?

And he must be doing something right. A 25% "closing" percentage is phenomenal.

KFG

Re:Converting

[silverkniveshotmail.]

Why not? All they're trying to do is share something that they think is useful and good. It's entirely different from trying to convert someone religiously--it's not like we're saying "If you don't use this software instead, you're going to HELL!!!". It's just saying "Hey, in case you're interested, there is software that's free, useful, and developed cooperatively for the fun of it, instead of by companies." There's nothing wrong with it.

I know it can be awkward sometimes, and I'm not really comfortable just shoving it into people's faces, but there's nothing wrong with offering it.

If this guy is getting 25% of the people he deals with like he says then I have a hard time beliving that there isn't some heavy pressure here. These aren't the average /. users.
These are people who are calling someone else to fix their computer because they can't.

Learn to create dual booting systems.

[3seas]

having the ability to boot linux or windows can be a plus. You can explain to them that should their windows system again get corrupted for any number of reasons, least of which is not online garbage, they can still use linux.

I once created a triple booting system with windows98, windowx XP and Knoppix. I had to disallow either windows partition from seeing each others but had a common partition for anything that any of teh systems needed to access like user files. Of course Knoppix had full acces to the whole system as that didn't cause potential conflicts. I didn't create this system for myself but for a friend who had been running Window ME and letting all his friends and kids access the internet. It took over 15 minutes for it to boot, had over 600 items of spyware on it, and a few viruses. In trying to fix it I watched it deteriorate to the point of non-functional.

Choice is a wonderful thing, but removing windows altogether can be a plus to, as it forces the user to get use to linux.

Personally I prefer Linux, Ubuntu as of current, for general computing and even programming with python.

My use of windows at home has been reduce a great deal and only use it when I need to use an application only available in windows.
But I'm finding more that is not available in a windows environment. Linuxcnc machine controller, even just for simulation, uses the real time kernel and is not available on windows.

OS I look to for the no to distant future include AROS, DragonFlyBSD and look over at the HURD and Minix3. Something has to give!!! As even Linux is not as user empowering as computing should be. And Windows is probably becomming the worst in terms of user empowering (The shell is a good indicator)

Re:How about just doing your job

[div_2n]

Of course, there is nothing wrong with a waiter recommending something either. In fact, they usually do in a subtle way via "Tonight's special is . . ."

"Fix" is such an ambiguous word sometimes when it comes to computers, isn't it? It isn't like a flat tire because often I hear "Can you fix my computer and make that never happen again?" or something to that effect. If they are sincere about that last part, can you really put Windows back on their computer? I usually reply with "I can't guarantee you something like that won't happen again, but I can offer you something that will come as close as possible to that. I want you to understand that going this path is a bit different from what you are used to, but it shouldn't take long to feel right at home."

If they are interested, I explain further. It is with a tag line like this that you find out how serious they are about "make it never happen again" because as soon as they learn their favorite piece of software probably won't work (it might with Wine, but no guarantee), you find out what is really important.

I would argue that as a technician, your job is not only to "fix" the problem, but to offer them a solution. Reinstalling Windows is a fix. Installing Linux is a solution. Not all solutions in the world offer one to one options. Sometimes, some things must be given up to truly solve a problem.

Re:How about just doing your job

[Anonymous Coward]

Would you like your waiter to try and convince you to change your order because they don't think it's right to eat lamb?

I would expect my waiter to turn me off of the spinach if there was an e-coli outbreak going around. I long ago told my own mother to never ask me another tech support question again if she continued using Windows. I just don't have the time or patience to deal with all the problems inherent to using shit software anymore. She bought a Mac. I still don't answer any tech support questions, because she doesn't have any problems anymore.

If you bring your car to the shop, do you tell them how to fix it? If the shop says it's really time to get a new car, do you tell them "that's not your job, just fix my car?" That would be your perogative; in the same way it's your perogative to smoke, live on potato chips and beer, and sit on your fat lazy ass all day long. But no would would call that healthy living; and you should not throw stones at people who would try to help you out of that situation.

If someone repeatedly insists on going against your recommendations as a professional computer technician, you should stop enabling them, unless you enjoy the sick symbiotic relationship of profitting from someone else's self inflicted misery.

We are helping them. Windows is their ailment.

[Anonymous Coward]

But maybe the waiter knows that you shouldn't eat the lamb because the meat had a green fungus covering it. The best thing the waiter can do in such a case is to recommend another dish, one that doesn't suffer from such problems. As much as you like and want lamb, it's probably better for yourself and everyone else if you order something else. After all, nobody else in the restaurant wants to see you puking up your guts after eating the bad meat.

It's much the case with Windows. We know it suffers from some very inherent flaws. Things have gotten better as of late, but that is only because of the pressure that Linux, BSD, Solaris and Mac OS X put on Microsoft to improve the security of Windows. As computer professionals, it's our duty to recommend alternate products that are safer for the user to use. They might really enjoy Windows, but it's better for everyone if they switch to a better operating system. After all, when their machines becomes compromised, it's their data that may get stolen. It's our mail servers that will have to handle all of the spam their systems send out. We might as well just help them out in the first place by recommending a better system, and save everyone a lot of trouble later on.

Re:How about just doing your job

[kripkenstein]

Would you like your waiter to try and convince you to change your order because they don't think it's right to eat lamb?

No, this would be more like the chef telling you a certain food combination won't work well, and recommending another.

(1. Waiters aren't experts. Chefs are. So are computer technicians. 2. Telling you not to eat lamb is a political action. Recommending a different complement of dishes for dinner isn't political, the chef probably knows what he's doing. Likewise, computer technicians know that certain open-source software packages are good to use because they have tangible benefits.)

Re:Converting

[Tim C]

Not to be an arse, but how do you know that's how he says it? I've known religious people who argue rationally for their faith, and why people might consider following it, and I've certainly known people who argue for OSS in the same manner as the worst, most zealous evangelical minister you could ever meet.

There certainly is nothing wrong with pointing out to people that alternatives exist that may serve their needs just as well, while being less susceptible to whatever it was that broke things this time. However, I know from experience that that's not how everyone presents it - just read slashdot at a low-ish threshold, and you'll see examples what I'm talking about.

Re:Take the Force Out of Your Method

[westlake]

And you're not forced to use it (like Dell forces people to use Windows). Let's keep it that way.

Dell doesn't force Windows on buyers.

This is as egotistical and lame a Geek fantasy as talk of the "Microsoft Tax."

Buyers in the millions flock to Dell because they know Windows, they want Windows, and they haven't the slightest interest in anything else.

Remember the big push for OEM Linux at Walmart? The revolving door of Linux distros and systems sold through Walmart.com?

Dead and buried.

Re:Converting

[ajs318]

It's not so much "you're going to Hell when you die", it's more "You won't be able to make any use of any of those files you have saved -- all your letters, all your digital photos, all the music and film clips you've downloaded -- either unless you pay some serious money, or maybe even not at all. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow; but soon."

That's so preposterous that most rational people don't want to believe it -- except the ones who have already discovered the hard way that every fucking word of it is true.

Re:Take the Force Out of Your Method

[Blakey Rat]

And remember, the positive comments probably have nothing to do with OSS, but more to do with the fact that there's a friendly, knowledgeable person with a vested interested in their learning to use the software better. If you provided that with proprietary software, you'd get the same positive comments.

Re:Converting

[idonthack]

They don't know how to install legacy drivers under Windows either. At least they don't have to navigate a "helpful wizard" when you're just telling them what to type.

Re:Converting

[zappepcs]

What kind of BS is that? Window's wasn't ready for primetime until 3.11 or later! That didn't stop people from using it and buying it! NOW is the time to show people that there is another choice, and that there are OTHER ways to use a computer that do not rely on Windows products. That is the point, not some semi-philosophical ideology about F/OSS. The real point is that MS is not the only way to use a computer. Hell, most Windows users don't have even half a clue how to fully utilize the features and functions of Office apps. Showing them the equivelent application from OO gives them the same things they wanted from MS Office... AND its free as a bonus, no license issues to worry about, no WGA warnings to worry about, in fact, a LOT less to worry about. The more people that support F/OSS in the community at large, the wider the acceptance will be. That is the simple truth of it. Features like a live CD that allow a user to fully re-start their system fresh anytime they want, is a bonus so big that its overlooked many times. People that pay for support because they have their system so misconfigured that no one can sort it out can simply reboot, and viola! everything is good. They would pay big money to have an MS system that could do that without losing user data, and Linux gives them this, among many other GREAT features. Yes, I say Linux IS ready for primetime. Stop comaparing it to MS crap. Stop using MS as the rule to live by.

Re:Converting

[Mistshadow2k4]

Why all the Linux talk in this thread? (Note: I'm a Debian user myself.) There's plenty of open source software for Windows. I think that's the best place to start. All you have to do is point people in that direction, explain that it's free, it will remain free and they can freely share it with anyone and everyone, and that it works. Apps like the Gimp (yes, I fully know it's no replacement for PS, but it's better than many other expensive graphics apps), CdEx, Audacity, 7-Zip, open Office, AbiWord, etc., are growing in popularity for a reason. If you get a Windows user using stuff like that and they're the sort of person who is likely to become interested in OSS, then just gett hem on that and then let nature take its course, so to speak.

Re:Converting

[BeeBeard]

These are people who are calling someone else to fix their computer because they can't.

That's right. And it sounds like rather than fix the problems, he suggests open source alternatives to the software they're already using and comfortable with? That's just ridiculous. I suspect that this is a case of the customers going along with it because "the computer guy said it was better" and not because they even care about something like Windows DRM. I like open source software, but the evangelism--even if it's conducted with a minimum of pressure--is misplaced, unnecessary, and a huge turn-off to most people who aren't part of the tech crowd. According to this guy's rough stats, 75% or about 3 out of every 4 people say "no" anyway.

At least he is just turning his customers onto open source alternatives on the same platform, and in that sense what he's doing is fairly harmless. For instance, if you install Firefox on someone's Windows machine, and they discover they don't like it as much as you thought they might, at least they still have that trusty IE icon to click whenever they need to browse.

I've heard horror stories of young, presumptuous techs who promise to "fix" a computer, and then proceed to nuke somebody's Windows 95B OEM / Office 97 installation that they've been using for years, and install Ubuntu with OpenOffice. If they worked for my company, I would promptly fire them.

Re:Converting

[fotbr]

When most people only know windows, their tendency will be to compare other OSs to Windows. Same for MS Office and office suites. Crying foul when its compared to MS, or referring to everything people use as "crap" isn't going to win people over.

I know the more socialist segments (note, segments, not everyone) of the FOSS crowd doesn't like having to compete on merits instead of idealogy, but until FOSS can beat the MS platform on merits, FOSS won't gain general acceptance.

Here's a small lesson the FOSS community needs to learn: Insulting prospective customers doesn't do anything to win them over. This means not referring to MS products as "crap". This means not holding a holier-than-thou attitude when a noob comes to a forum and asks for help. This means keeping your documentation up to date and not assuming everyone will "figure it out" because they have access to all the source code.

Average Joe wants a computer that works. Telling Joe that what he's been happy with for the last X years is "crap" and that $LinuxDistributionOfTheWeek is "better" puts Joe on the defensive right away. Joe needs to be able to ask "how do I get XYZ to work" in a forum without being told to "go RTFM and come back when you know something" when the manual hasn't been updated for 4 releases and no longer applies, or worse, there's multiple versions of the manual and he has to figure out which one he needs.

Re:How about just doing your job

[karmaflux]

If your waiter isn't an expert, you're eating at a shitty restaurant.

Basically, a computer repair technician is not in any position to recommend software. He's in a position to fix the computer and shut the hell up. Evangelism is annoying as hell, be it from a computer nerd trying to convert you to his political ideology*, or be it from an old guy with a Bible trying to convert you to his particular denomination. If the customer asks about alternatives, that's one thing, but that last thing your average person wants is some technician breathing down his neck about Ubuntu.

*If you don't think that "I want people to use OSS because it's OSS" is a political ideology, ask yourself why participation in the whole movement is defined by which legal document you release your software under. Ask yourself why the EFF and the FSF spend so much time lobbying politicians and pursuing court cases. The original poster didn't say anything about benefits of OSS over proprietary -- he specifically said he's driving customers away from DRM. I'm sorry, but the difference between MS Office and OpenOffice.org is not the difference between eating salmon with pasta and eating salmon with asparagus. The difference there is that you sacrifice a tremendous amount of functionality, and the only return is that your software meets some lofty political ideology. I run F/OSS almost exclusively, but I don't cram it down people's throats.

Re:How about just doing your job

[gregorio]

1. Waiters aren't experts. Chefs are. So are computer technicians.

Computer technicians are not experts. They're at the bottom of the knowledge pyramid. They're maintenance monkeys, not experts.

Experts do not work on standardized maintenance procedures that depend solely on encyclopedical knowledge. That's why we have low-wage technicians for, so we can save the experts for important, innovative jobs.

Computer people are always confusing their position, because they think that computers are special. Guess what: that's a freaking lie. Computers are not special. Yes, they're the most complicated piece of technology that the average man can have technical contact with, but there are dozens of fields that require much more knowledge about extremely complicated stuff. Computer people confuse that because they think that their job is the only intelligent job in the planet.

Confusing a maintenance technician with a computer expert is the same thing as confusing a Machinist with a Mechanical Engineer. Or confusing an Electrician with an Electrical Engineer.

Btw: Engineers deal with much more complicated stuff than computer monkeys do. In fact, there are lots of engineering areas that use/develop computers, so they know more about computers than computer dudes. Yet, the worst behaved engineer is not even 1% as arrogant as the average computer guy.

Telling you not to eat lamb is a political action.

Exactly like advocating OSS just for the sake of it.

Re:Converting

[93 Escort Wagon]

It's entirely different from trying to convert someone religiously--it's not like we're saying "If you don't use this software instead, you're going to HELL!!!".

1) You must be new here.

2) Having seen numerous Linux-vs-BSD-vs-Windows-vs-Mac flame wars on Slashdot over the past several years, I think you're right - the operating system arguments are nothing like the religious arguments, they're far more vitriolic. There's nothing quite like a young nerdling with his panties in a twist.

Re:That is your job.

[jb.hl.com]

You forgot the question mark there, but it's clear you were making a statement rather than asking a question anyway. You might as well have said that it's everyone's job to do just what Bill Gates wants them to.

Um...no. If someone asked "could you fix my computer please?" a reasonable person wouldn't see that as an invitation to completely change the operating system for them. Imagine (car analogy coming up) taking your car to a mechanic, and instead of fixing the exhaust they've resprayed it, changed the engine and given you new seats. You'd be pissed.

What the user wants is a browser, email, text editor and spreadsheet that work.

And all users want that, because twitter says so.

What a lot of users want is MSN Messenger. The current most functional MSN client for Unix-alikes is aMSN (IMHO), and it's terrible. The fonts look out of place, it's a Tk program so it looks like shit and it doesn't support things like winks. They might want to use their webcam, which aMSN can do...if Linux supports it. They bought some songs off iTunes or Napster or something, they want to listen to...WHOOPS, they can't (no, saying how DRM is evil and the RIAA are fuckers isn't going to make someone any less pissed when you tell them they can't listen to their tunes). Oh, want to play some games? Well, if they work with Cedega (a big if) then sure. And those Works documents they had (lots of people use Works...)? Well, screw ever getting those back.

See? Linux isn't a panacea. YES, if you want basic web browsing and email, with maybe an ounce of word processing, Linux (or BSD for that matter) will do perfectly fine...but then, so will Windows really. Hell, for that, Windows 98 would suffice. Not much point in switching someone over just because you think Linux is better.

The software market more resembles a nightmare world where McDonald's took over the entire food supply with government help.

Government help? Jesus wept. Are the Jews or the Illuminati involved as well? How about the UN? Can't have a good conspiracy theory without those guys.

Second, I'd be more than happy if my waiter told me something like, "We got some beautiful fish today, you really should try it." Most of us like a helpful waiter.

Fair enough. Nothing wrong with a recommendation, so long as you're not saying "non-free software is evil, use Linux or you're going to hell to have your wallet raped by Bill Gates" (or it's equivalent in the silly lamb/waiter analogy).

How would you feel, if your mechanic "fixed" your car with a factory replacement fully knowing the part was defective by design?

"Defective by design". Yes, twitter. God you kill me sometimes.

Re:Converting

[machineghost]

Actually, even the beloved Ubuntu still has does have some problems, and just because you didn't experience them doesn't mean that the parent "has no experience with this at all." I personally just tried installing Dapper Drake the other day, and even though I have very new hardware (AMD 64 3000 and GeForce FX 5900; don't remember the motherboard), my system froze the moment the installer got to the GUI. I rebooted and installed in text mode, but even after installation, the moment I would get to the GUI everything would freeze(I'm sure it's possible to install some alternate driver or something, but since I've found Linux graphic stuff to be a giant PITA in the past, I'm just going to wait for Edgy Eft).

Now I'm not at all trying to bash Ubuntu here (my company uses it at work, and it's very nice), but I am trying to demonstrate that Linux is still not there yet in terms of being ready for non-computer savvy users. I'm a big proponent of OSS; I've always installed Firefox and Thunderbird on every computer I fix, and lately I've started adding Open Office to the mix. I explain to the owners that "yes, you could use IE/Outlook/Word instead, but I guarantee that this software can do everything that software can, is 100% free, will always remain free (meaning that you can always get all the latest upgrades without paying), and can do some things that software can't (ie. OO can make pdfs, but Word can't, or at least not without $500 Adobe software)."

IMHO, this is the kind of "missionary work" OSS needs: installing superior OSS products on existing Windows systems to demonstrate why OSS really is better. While I dream of a day when I can honestly tell people "I could re-install Windows, but I have this other free OS that I really think is better for you", that day has not yet arrived.

Just use it

[macemoneta]

The best way to encourage the use of open source, is to use it yourself. Run it on your laptop. Run it on your desktop. Run it on your server. Run it on your PDA. Run it on your cell phone. Put penguin/distribution stickers on everything.

As more people - that others recognize for their technical ability - run a piece of software, the more it attracts attention. As other environments have problems, but your SELinux/ExecShield protected machine keeps chugging, people will notice. When they ask tell them, but don't try to sell them. Say "Linux" not Fedora, Ubuntu, Mandriva, SuSE, etc. Use a common term, so they can begin to associate the environment with the benefits in their own minds.

When other people are watching, don't use the command line. Yes it's easier to do some things that way, even on Mac OSX or WindowsXP. But when you use the command line, that's the association that people make with Linux.

Linux is already much bigger (installed base) than people recognize. It runs under the radar. No registration, no cost, no audit trail of downloads or copies. To help manufacturers understand that, everytime you purchase a product ask the vendor a question and mention Linux. Does it work with Linux? Are there Linux drivers? Is it Linux compatible? Even if the vendor is providing a product for another OS. Are the files this program creates compatible with "program X" on Linux? Can I move this USB device between "OS X" and Linux? Is the compact flash/USB/Firewire in this camera/camcorder/PDA/phone/etc. Linux friendly?

It doesn't take much to change the world; you just have to do something to let the world know you're there.

re: what about the long-term?

[King_TJ]

I also do a lot of on-site computer service, and although I've often dropped a suggestion that someone might benefit by making their next computer purchase a Mac, I don't attempt to change over their existing OS while I'm there to fix something.

I have no doubt you could construct an environment in open-source that initially pleases at least 1 out of 4 of your clients who need help. (Many people don't know enough about their computers to really understand what "Windows" is in the first place. I find a lot of confusion out there, especially with the OS and apps coming pre-loaded so often. People think Microsoft Office is part of Windows, etc.)

My concern would be long-term hassle and confusion. What if a family member brings over a shiny new piece of software the following XMas (maybe some Family Tree software for Windows, or a Print Shop Deluxe type package, or ??), and they discover their PC can't even run it anymore? Guess who will be blamed? Yep - that damn technician who wiped out my whole hard drive and set me up this other stuff that was supposed to be so much "better"!

Go beyond the short-term benefits

[Freed]

In addition to the many short-term benefits you can demonstrate to the users, explain to them the benefits of freedom such as how free software can help protect their privacy, how exercising freedom is important in preserving it, how freedom has inspired cooperation and, in turn, such a great amount of progress in the quantity and quality of free software in such a short time and with few resources compared to the billions from the likes of Microsoft, etc.

Explain to them that there may be inconveniences from time to time just as you find with proprietary software, but that in the case of free software, inconvenience is a price of freedom, just as other freedoms have prices. We all need to be reminded of such prices so as not to take freedom for granted. If they understand these things, they will face unfamiliar situations with more patience and determination, and, in turn, become more self-sufficient.

Remember that helping them in this way is not a one-way street. You will improve your own skills and reputation, and their greater understanding will invigorate free software in the long run.

Re:Precisely

[RAMMS+EIN]

``So assuming you do get them to switch to Ubuntu - do you honestly think they'll have a more trouble free future with their PC than they would with a repaired windows machine''

Possibly. I think Ubuntu requires less maintenance and technical know-how to keep running than Windows does.

``I mean it makes great sense to do this is I repaired machines for money - in 6 months time you just know they're going to turn up with a webcam or a printer they've bought and can't get to work.''

Many printers and webcams will work with Ubuntu as soon as you plug them in. I don't know if the same is true on Windows these days, but I know it used to be that you had to install the driver before Windows would even tell you what kind of device it needed a driver for.

Re:Take the Force Out of Your Method

[Kuvter]

Knowledgeable Christians have been fighting this struggle for so long. They go to church so they think they're Christian, and it's awesome, so they tell everyone about it. But most of the time this is detrimental to the cause.

Many of them miss the point it's about giving not taking, sigh. Which brings up back to OSS, most of the time people make these programs to give to the community not take from it.