Linux still largely invisible in the marketplace

[Raymond J. Payne]

I think a lot of it comes from the fact it's free.  Two major issues
because of that.  There is no advertising budget to make people want
Linux.  If you don't already know of Linux, then it's unlikely you'll
hear much about it.  Since everyone hears about Windows, then that's the
way users that don't know much will be inclined to go.  The second issue
I often run into is that if it's free, it can't be any good.  People
have a serious mental block with installing a free operating system
legally thinking it's a good OS.  But the same people will either not
upgrade from Windows 95 because they don't want to part with the money,
or pirate newer versions.



If you're referring to Linux just on the server level, I think it's
making quite an impact all things considered.  Most small to medium
sized companies I know of that have more than a server or two for any
purpose all typically seem to either have or be planning Linux based
servers.  Very few companies I'm aware of personally are using Apple
server products.

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-tlug-lxSQFCZeNF4 at public.gmane.org [mailto:owner-tlug-lxSQFCZeNF4 at public.gmane.org] On Behalf Of Rick
Tomaschuk
Sent: Thursday, December 08, 2005 1:35 PM
To: tlug-lxSQFCZeNF4 at public.gmane.org
Subject: [TLUG]: Linux still largely invisible in the marketplace

I travel a lot through the US and Canada and am frustrated that after
the last 10 years of working to promote Linux (it) is still largely
invisible in the market place especially when compared to the Apple 
and their pirated lookalike copy called Windows produced by the
convicted 
monopolist Microsoft. The industry rag Computing Canada (also CDN)
pretty
much ignores Linux and focuses on piracy. I sent their editor an email
complaining about their support for an illegal monopoly. I suppose that
is where their advertising $$ are coming from.  Is it really
possible to steal from lawyers and thieves? 

What is needed are more high profile brand name devices which clearly
indicate they are powered by Linux OR some other operating system. I'm
not an open source advocate to the core. I believe competition should be
encouraged in the free market. Pretty tough to do when basic anti
monopolistic laws aren't enforced. Other computing companies exist out
there but do not receive much high profile promotion. I noticed quite a
bit of "infighting" lately on the list server. Hey people...take a stand
and rather than fight over a "piece of the pie"...make your own pie and
get on with it...
RickT
http://www.TorontoNUI.ca



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