[Lancaster] Website

[Ken Hough]

On Saturday 22 November 2008 12:19:23 andy baxter wrote:
> Ken Hough wrote:
> > Andy,
> >
> > Sorry about delay in responding. I've been busy!
> >
> > I still feel that the logos make the poster look too busy. Also, as I
> > tried to mention previously (I guess that message was blocked because of
> > an attachment), I feel that a poster would have more impact if the main
> > feature was LINUX rather than a (possibly) confusing array of unfamiliar
> > emblems.
>
> I do have the word Linux in huge letters nearly at the top of the
> poster, which I would have thought would be enough. More people have
> seen tux probably but then there are two tuxes in my poster in a fairly
> prominent place, and I still want to stand by the 'unity in diversity'
> point - I think one of the greatest strengths of linux is the fact that
> there are so many different distros, each with their own uses.

I agree 100% that the many distros are a strength, but just imagine that you 
were unfamiliar with Linux and used only to the conformity and security 
(???  :-) ) of Windoze. What would be your reaction to such diversity? Where 
would you think of starting? From my own experiences of trying explain Linux 
to people, I expect that you would experience a measure of uncertainty, if 
not panic!


> Having 
> the distro logos maybe helps convey this impression of a diverse
> community rather than a single organisation with a single logo.

If this was intended for the attention of those who are already familiar with 
Linux, then again, I would agree.

> Also, 
> people maybe expect to see just one logo on a poster, so having several
> is more eye catching in itself.

I disagree. Too many components can just blend into a background. A few well 
defined and prominent items are more likely to grab attention and to be 
easily identifiable at a glance/distance.

>
> > It's hard enough to explain to most people the concepts behind Linux and
> > open source stuff without getting into the pros and cons of the many
> > distros that are available.
>
> The poster doesn't mention distros by name at all in the current
> version, which I agree on.

So why include logos that are unlikely to mean much to non-Linux readers?
If logos are to be included, then which ones? Should we present logos for the 
400 odd distros that are out there?

>
> > By now, most people will have seen TUX.
> >
> > I've posted an updated version of my old poster for comment at:
> > <http://slscope.co.uk/Documents/LinuxAdvert3.odt>
>
> I think that the wording on your version (or something similar) might be
> better than mine as it's more to the point of what most people are
> interested in when thinking of using linux.

I'm sure that the detail and content of my wording could be greatly improved 
on.

> I wrote mine the way I did 
> because I wanted to explain the point about software freedom, but maybe
> it's more important at first to tell people what linux can do for them.

Freedom should definitely be refered to as it's so much at the heart of Linux, 
so I think that we need both to be mentioned. IMHO, these two points are the 
essence of what we need to present  --  and of course, how to make contact 
with the Linux community.


Regards


Ken hough