[wplug] RE: .NET launch

[Douglas Green]

Last time on this subject (I promise)- but regarding the last question
"how can we make that happen?"- Here's a thought- round up your old
computers which are not used/useable, fix them, install linux and DONATE
them to schools/public institutions/businesses in need areas (ie:
Mexico). You will be insuring that these people's primary interactions
are with linux, and as a group we can make that interaction a good one. 
 
Doug
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: wplug-admin at wplug.org [mailto:wplug-admin at wplug.org] On Behalf Of
Elwin Green
Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2002 2:31 PM
To: wplug at wplug.org
Subject: [wplug] RE: .NET launch
 
My .02 worth, for free... 
> Message: 7 
> From: "Douglas Green" 
> Judging by my 
> own experience, people that are very computer literate are NOT the 
> problem to address (ie: the .net lunch attendees). 

I agree; the people who most need persuading are those who sign the
checks. And such persuasion requires speaking to their mindset, speaking
their language, and speaking about how they will benefit. 

> Most people don't care enough 
> to want 
> to learn something different- 

I almost agree - most people don't care enough to want to learn
something different *unless they see a compelling benefit in doing so*. 

In the case of Linux, the benefit(s) must be compelling enough to
outweigh, not only any difficulty in installing/learning/administering
Linux, but also any difficulty in handling legacy data (sometimes many
years' worth) generated by Windows programs. StarOffice may handle .doc
files well enough, but is there a Linux tax preparation program that I
can use right now, that can import last year's TurboTax data - and if
there is, where is it? (not at Office Depot, which invites a whole
'nother discussion...) 

> IMHO, save your CDs, mass distro burnings, evangelism, and avoid 
> linux-snobbishness like the plague (ie: "do we really want 
> everyone?"- 
> of course we do!). 

As a newbie, I find that, um, comforting :). The "do we really want
everyone?" bit is almost indescribably repulsive. I know that it's not
representative of the list, but a little of it goes a long way, and it
can easily become just one more reason for a person to decide not to
bother with Linux. 

> If people learn on linux first, I 
> think it will be more accepted. 
> 

I agree. How can we help to make that happen? 

Elwin G. 



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