Re: I wish to advocate linux
Hi
On Tue, 2013-02-26 at 20:19 +0000, frank ernest wrote:
I wish to advocate linux and I have one small problem. If I were (theoretically speaking,) to go up to Miss Jones and say "Why not try linux?" she would respond "Which distro should I try for there are many?"
Sure? I'd thought that she'd say "What's Linux?"
I assume here that your target audience is "the average person"; the majority of people who are not intrinsically interested in the box at the other end of the keyboard cable (or under their keyboard for laptops). My assumption may be wrong, but you really need to be clear about your target audience to make a difference.
Unfortunately, this is about as interesting to the average person as the engine manufacturer in their motor vehicle: Geeks are interested in this stuff. To the average person, learning about the differences between the 4-cylinder diesel engine and a V6 petrol engine is about as interesting as filling in a tax return.
I'd argue that to advocate GNU/Linux effectively, you need to know a fair amount about Linux, and even more about marketing. Which is probably a rare combination.
"What are the differences?" and I would respon that "They have different package types and..." and that would be the end of the disscution. I mean a linux system is a linux system they all use the same kernel, the same shells, etc. So I seek to understand the differneces so as to represent the various distros properly. Of cousre I like so many, many, many, many others could just say "Well the distro I use is the best." or "There all great." The first may not be correct exept from my point of view. The second is true enough but it's very inspecific.
This would be a good start: http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/debian-faq/ch-basic_defs.en.html#s-difference
However... Technicalities like packaging systems, distinctions between the kernel and the OS, "GNU/Linux" vs "Linux" will quickly cure insomnia in the average audience. You will can easily end up explaining the differences in terms that your audience either (a) does not understand, (b) does not care about or (c) both. Don't try to explain the difference between a double wishbone and MacPherson suspension to your postman...
I would use(have used) easier-to-digest (and arguably fluffier) concepts like: Stability, Performance, Reliability, ROI, Security, Vendor Independence, Ease of Support etc. People can relate to that, and they have some (vague) idea of what the concepts mean. And the concepts are positive. And definitely not "strange geek stuff".
I have decided to use the various distros and seek out differences but this is an imperfect way of going about this so I am additionaly asking you.
I haven't heard of a perfect way either 
I'M NOT ASKING FOR A WHATS WRONG WITH THE COMPITITION DESCUSSION!!
I'm using Open suse in case you are wondering. Not becuase it's best but because being a beginner I liked yast.
ah... You have my sympathy 
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