+ - A failed attempt by Linux to market itself
Submitted
by
WED Fan
WED Fan writes "URIG has some interesting insights, and makes a few good points. The problems he mentions are problems experienced by many FOSS projects. I think the symptoms point to a huge problem — Marketing. Companies have slick marketing. They have marketing professionals to front the company to the public. FOSS, by and large, makes the same mistake small companies do, putting gifted developers in front of their customers.
What if FOSS projects had some open source marketing? What if FOSS project leads could pull in young marketers needing to make their bones? Aren't there some slick marketing types in University right now, looking for a showcase?
If we get the geek factor, the developer jumble-speak, out of the marketing message, a greater acceptance will follow. The geeks come into play where they should, support and development. 99.8% of developers should never be allowed to front a project to customers, we kill our own message.
From URIG's blog:
What if FOSS projects had some open source marketing? What if FOSS project leads could pull in young marketers needing to make their bones? Aren't there some slick marketing types in University right now, looking for a showcase?
If we get the geek factor, the developer jumble-speak, out of the marketing message, a greater acceptance will follow. The geeks come into play where they should, support and development. 99.8% of developers should never be allowed to front a project to customers, we kill our own message.
From URIG's blog:
It makes me somewhat sad to write about the Linux community's latest attempt at bringing their product to the wider public.
MakeTheMove.net is a website dedicated to spreading the word on why Linux and other FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) are the right choice for average Joes and Joans and not just for the ubergeeks.
Ironically, the website looks like a parody of Linux' user unfriendliness. It is a failed attempt at being communicative. The layout of graphic elements and text is downright bad and unattractive. The long (and wide) paragraphs are difficult to read and worse — downright boring. The "Why Should I Move?" section is a depressing example of this.
I am a fan of Linux as a concept, I guess. Nut as much as I admire the development of a powerful and robust open source OS, the last time I installed Linux on my machine was back in the days of RedHat v5.2. MakeTheMove.net certainly doesn't make me want to give it another try.
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