Linux Advocacy (dealing with 3com) (was: Re: Macromedia products for linux)
I'm dealing with much the same thing with 3com right now. I'm attempting
to flash upgrade one of their 56k Sportster modems without having to go
out and purchase a license for Windows 98. Unfortunately, I've gotten
three different support people in their support department for four
different email replys. Every single person replying to me suggested I
connect the modem to a `PC running Windows 95 or 98' after being informed
that I do not have access to such a machine.
In my last email to 3com's support I asked to be connected with one
specific person in their company who would have the authority to be
helpful to Linux/UNIX users.
Also, I stated that while their company might not be able to offer the
same level of hand-holding ^Wautomated support to the Linux community than
they to the MacOS and Windows communities, the Linux community would in
general be more than happy to do their own support provided 3com met us
halfway and offered full support for their own products regardless of the
end-user's platform of choice.
And yes, I did manage to sound a little bit angry (deliberately, and I
hope I managed to stay politely angry) when I indicated that any practice
of theirs which requires use or purchase of any specific OS would be
considered unacceptable.
That said, does anyone on this list happen to have any contacts inside
3com who might be helpful in getting the flash upgrade thing going?
On Fri, 3 Dec 1999, Tom Allard wrote:
>
> > This is an email I recieved from macromedia after I asked them to
> > support our OS. I think maybe if enough people show interest maybe
> > we'll get flash for linux. Fire off and email to the address in the
> > email please.
>
> I think you should read the Linux Advocacy mini-HOWTO.
>
> http://www.datasync.com/~rogerspl/Advocacy-HOWTO.html
>
> In the paragraph above, you are well-written seem very capable of a
> reasoned plea, but your message to macromedia sounds like a childish
> flame:
>
> > > Look man, I am a BIG fan for the whole vestored graphice thing. I
> > > think it rocks. Infact some of my favorite sites use vectored
> > > graphics made with and for your products. What really irks me
> > > though, is your lack of support for platforms other than that of
> > > Billy's Garbage. I am a Linux user and as such get the shaft when
> > > it comes to visiting sites made with Flash or whatever. I think it
> > > sucks and I think it's pretty sad that you don't support us. Just
> > > because we ar emainly an open source community doesn't mean we
> > > wouldn't pay for your software. Granted there isn't as many of us
> > > but sheesh, it's depressing that I'm cut off from alot of sites cuz
> > > I use Linux.
>
> For example, the HOWTO urges advocates to refer to another product by
> it's proper name. It's all fine-and-good on lists like this to talk
> about WinBlows and such, but telling someone outside the community that
> you don't like "Billy's Garbage" won't win you any converts. Think of
> it from *their* point-of-view: they've made millions writing software
> that works on Windows, so it's not such garbage to them...
>
> Read your message back to yourself, but change Linux to Windows, change
> "Billy's Garbage" to "Open Source Crap" and change the product to
> something not available in Windows. Think about how reading that would
> make you feel. Does it make you really want to work with this person
> and improve your product, or does it just make you defensive about your
> own product and even a little fearful of the sender?
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