Supporting Ubuntu growth

[Dave M. Sullivan]

I figured a week would at least wet her appetite.. show her that in a
week, she won't experience any crashes, random errors or freezing. But
yes, I agree, a week is barely enough time to get used to a new OS.

On 8/1/06, Anthony Yarusso <tonyyarusso at earthlink.net> wrote:
> Dave M. Sullivan wrote:
> > I agree with Chris... and I'm going to use a cliche as well: you can
> > bring a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.
> >
> > In other words, its more preferable to *show* someone Linux, and let
> > them make the decision for themselves, rather than force them to use
> > it. It's true, its quite a scary thing for people who aren't techies,
> > or who just use their computers for surfing, email, chatting, etc.
> >
> > Sure, using Linux even for these things is beneficial, as you don't
> > have to put up with constant error messages, spyware, viruses, and the
> > like, but as similar as it is and as easy as it is, its still not
> > Windows, which means its still different, and it does require some
> > level of learning to understand it.
> >
> > For example, I installed Ubuntu on my girlfriend's computer, and
> > offered her the following deal: try it for a week, and if you don't
> > like it, I'll remove it. By doing this, I've  allowed her to try it
> > out for herself and make her own decision. If she likes it better, she
> > can keep it. If she's too used to Windows, that's fine too. You can't
> > force someone to like something.
> >
> > Thoughts on that?
> >
> > Dave
> >
> > On 8/1/06, Chris Thompson <cthompsonx at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> >> Hmm... You wrote:
> >> "Lately I've been asked to repair or update friends, neighbours etc
> >> computers, it isn't difficult but I'm not a tech. "
> >> A few thoughts..
> >>
> >> There are techies and then there are techies....I would have to say that
> >> anyone who subscribes to this community is, relative to the poulation at
> >> large, by definition a techie. The average computer user wouldn't know a
> >> Linux kernal from Colonel Klink.
> >>
> >> "So I'm taking the stance that they MUST switch to Ubuntu Linux, since the
> >> Windows problems have become a real pain."
> >>
> >> If you think supporting your Windows friends is a pain, watch what would
> >> happen if you installed Ubuntu....you will become 24 hour first line
> >> support, help desk, tutor, and designated scapegoat every time anything,
> >> however seemingly trivial,  goes wrong.
> >>
> >> In providing support, whether it be for Windows or Ubuntu or whatever, I
> >> would strongly recommend following the philosophy of   "give a man a fish
> >> and he will eat for a day, teach him to fish and he will eat for the rest of
> >> his life."
> >>
> >> Never just fix something under the covers.... provide guidance and only
> >> guidance. Never let your fingers touch their keyboard. Help them to become
> >> self sufficient.
> >>
> >> Same with guiding someone to linux or ubuntu - give them a Live CD, let them
> >> play and decide whether they want to use it. Remember, people always go
> >> through an ignorance - awareness - understanding - liking, andultimatelu\y a
> >> preference cycle for anything. For the average User, an OS decision is an
> >> emotional choice, not a rational one, the migration is scary.
> >>
> >> If you put a gun to their head - Ubuntu or no support - they might cave in.
> >> I guarantee they will resent you for it and blame you (quite unjustly) of
> >> course for everything and anything that ever happens to the computer. Given
> >> the perverse nature of inanimate objects (as we engineers like to say)
> >> things will go wrong.
> >>
> >> Unless of course, you want to be on call 24 hours a day providing help to
> >> people who resent you being the cause of all of their problems since the day
> >> they moved to linux.
> >>
> >> Remember, no good turn goes unpunished.
> >>
> >>
> >> On 7/31/06, Allen Graham <allenggraham at gmail.com> wrote:
> >>
> >> Hi all: we've discussed at length  spreading the penetration of Ubuntu Linux
> >> at all levels in Canada. This article:
> >>
> >> http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2006/07/27/217270/Linux+patch+problems+Your+version+may+vary.htm
> >>
> >> strongly supports our efforts.  Specifically;" In this instance, Ubuntu and
> >> Fedora received the highest scores overall, reflecting their tendency to be
> >> among the first responders for many issues."
> >>
> >> Lately I've been asked to repair or update friends, neighbours etc
> >> computers, it isn't difficult but I'm not a tech. So I'm taking the stance
> >> that they MUST switch to Ubuntu Linux, since the Windows problems have
> >> become a real pain. Forced "Updates and Upgrades"
> >>
> >> Your comments ?
> >> Allen
> >> --
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >> ubuntu-ca mailing list
> >> ubuntu-ca at lists.ubuntu.com
> >>  https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-ca
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >> ubuntu-ca mailing list
> >> ubuntu-ca at lists.ubuntu.com
> >> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-ca
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> I agree with the concept, but I think it takes more than a week to make
> that decision.  I would make that deal with at least a one month time frame.
>
>
>
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>
>
>


-- 
Dave Sullivan <demsullivan at gmail.com>