[Infopoint] more Interest gathering - a change

[alan c]

David Goodwin wrote:
> alan c wrote:
>> I mostly display monthly at my very local computer fair, and over more 
>> than a year, interest has gathered a little momentum.
>> 
>> However,  just recently there has been a quickening of interest from 
>> otherwise non techie computer users.
> 
> Do you have any ideas why this might be the case? Is it because you've 
> become a regular fixture at computer fairs?
> 
> 
>> At today's event someone came up and said how delighted he was that the 
>> (last event's CD) worked so well (Kubuntu I think). A couple of others 
>> said they had seen media coverage. One spent a long time asking and 
>> watching about what was an operating system and what the interest was 
>> about - this was someone who used a PC but never touched it technically, 
>> a friend did that. A grey haired man took a CD because of interest,  and 
>> also his 16 year old nephew (?) said he would rather be dead than use 
>> ms.....
> 
> We used to come across people who'd say similar things ('stuff microsoft 
> etc') - but then never heard again from them :-/

I think there are a number of factors converging and if I see things 
correctly it would be good to use the window of opportunity well.

1) Linux distros have become more user friendly in the last two or 
three years - including newbie friendly. Ubuntu focusses on a good 
human, simple user experience; It Just Works, Linux for Human beings. 
PCLOS asserts 'Radically Simple'. Both are high on distrowatch for 
interest.

2) The Ubuntu phenomenon has given the beginnings of a consumer 
'brand' to Linux (specifically Ubuntu). The ability to focus on a
brand is something that both the media and consumers are well tuned 
towards in our brand driven retail society. BTW the Infopoint 'Brand' 
has been most important in helping to establish acceptance of my 
displays with the organisers - British Computer Fairs  (thanks to Jono 
Bacon).

3) Microsoft has repeatedly missed opportunities to improve its 
reputation - windows genuine advantage, late Vista, bad decisions 
about Vista convenience, need for major hardware upgrades, etc.

4) For about a year there has been more mention of Linux in popular 
computer magazines. Perhaps because of some of the other points here. 
There was a flurry of big articles at Ubuntu 6.06 (June 2006). These 
magazines are still circulating. I saw one yesterday at my dentists 
surgery (note1).

5) It takes a couple of years for someone to get around to a change 
such as Linux. It certainly took me that long.

6) There has been BBC coverage about open source (April, radio4) and 
TV (Click, recently, ubuntu). One gets coverage because there is news, 
or something has changed, or is good, or bad.

7) Continuing presence - yes I believe my continuing attendance at 
that computer fair has had a significant effect, but the newcomers 
have not been 'aware' of me, but I think they have been activated by 
media coverage or other discussion - maybe family or friends.

8) Dell and Ubuntu - and the Ubuntu pragmatic use of WiFi prorietary 
drivers where essential.

All these are converging. I believe there is a window of about a year 
now when people will be unusually receptive to thoughts about Linux, I 
hope we can make good use of the time. After this, new hardware will 
have been bought anyway, with vista. Vista will have more drivers 
supplied. People will have forgotten the pain of vista. Microsoft will 
have had more opportunity to use its own well resourced marketing 
muscle to its advantage.

You mention that people used to say 'stuff microsoft (etc)'. They were 
complaining about ms, they were *not* singing the praises of Linux! 
(note2) These are different things. They had nowhere to go, they were 
stuck. Linux was not good (easy) enough for joe street user. It *is* 
now! They *do* now have somewher to go. However, they are not very 
well informed about their options and choices. Some do not even know 
Open Source or Linux, exists (note3). They will also need to get basic 
support of the type they get for windows from family or friends (FOF) 
or work colleagues (note4).

Note 1: I took some leaflets to the dentists surgery since I was to be 
there anyway and asked if I could leave them. I also noticed a 
Computer magazine  with a 'linux is easy' article. While the 
receptionist was pondering her response I said 'it is what this 
article is talking about'.  She took a leaflet to ask the dentist. He 
emerged a couple of minutes later and said  'This looks interesting I 
might try it myself. 'Yes ok for the leaflets'. And he put them up 
very visibly next to the toothbrushes! This dental surgery is totally 
non computerised in any way. He is a non techie home user. The 
receptionist had by then read the leaflet herself (!) and asked 'why 
doesnt it get viruses?' :-)

Note 2: This *is* happening *now*. Last week at the computer fair a 
person who had previously taken a CD (Kubuntu) returned and with a 
broad joyful grin and went on about how it worked so easily, how 
wonderful it all was and wasn't it good? He was joe street user, not a 
techie, techies come and discuss esoteric points!

Note 3: I asked a Dixons employee why a PCLine house brand pcmcia card 
was only marked for windows when I knew well it would also work with 
Linux? 'What is Linux? he replied, quite innocently and in good 
humour. I did a genuine double take and said in mock stern tone that I 
would 'have to see him later'. I later took in a couple of sets of 
information with live CDs and gave them to the manger  for passing on. 
He was genuinely appreciative and it looked like he would have a look too.
I had also asked at PCWorld about me displaying on special occasions 
(Infopoint). A pleasent and polite discussion, but he soon said 'If we 
cannot sell it I am not interested'. No information.

Note 4: My continuing presence at most of the computer fairs there 
has become a defacto mini LUG! Not a lug you would recognise though. A 
sort of comfort point for the souls who are not (yet) committed or 
confident enough to get  to a LUG. At this stage I try to encourage 
them to use the forums and mailing lists, not sure they do yet though.

I am aware that PC users all have a FOF who helps with their PC. They 
may not have a fof with Linux. People that do have are the earliest 
ones to try it. One person took a CD because his young nephew of 16 
would not use windows (but linux).

-- 
alan cocks
Kubuntu user#10391