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Jon maddog Hall blogged:
I am never again going to tell people why they should be using Free Software.
Instead I am going to ask them why they insist on using closed source software.
Is it because they love paying lots of money for software that does little more (if anything) than suitable Free Software?
Do they use closed-source software because they love waiting weeks and months for patches that they might have gotten much sooner in the Free Software community?
Perhaps they love getting new versions of the software thrown out at them every so often, instead of being able to directly interact with the developers through forums and mailing lists.
I will wait for these people to tell me that they use closed-source software because of the software warranty (laugh) or the support they get (bigger laugh).
What I really expect is that when I ask the question, I will get a sort of puzzled look and they will say "I do not really know why I use closed source software" and I will be most of the way to converting them.
There's also an old adage along the lines of "Tell me and I will forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I will understand." Has anyone here attempted the above approach? What results have you had?
(Score: 5, Insightful) by Horse With Stripes on Sunday September 21 2014, @03:39AM
You're never going to "convert" people by talking down to them or treating them in a condescending manner. Educate them respectfully and let everyone choose what's best for their own needs.
Let's not forget that familiarity with a product has value. Learning something new takes time and a user's time is just as valuable as Jon Hall's. If paying for something they are familiar with is a better fit for the user then that is the right choice for that user.
Hall's "they're just to stupid to know better so I'll try to paint them into a corner by outsmarting them" approach is not going to win the hearts and minds of the masses.
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday September 21 2014, @04:10AM
talking down to them
You have a very slanted view of someone asking an honest question and waiting for an answer.
Q: Why are you hitting yourself in the head with that hammer?
A: Because it feels so good when I stop.
Sure, that answer is truthful--but does it make sense?
If examining your logic reveals a flaw in that logic, that's an opportunity for improvement.
something they are familiar with
eXPee just EoL'd.
Learning a newer M$ OS will have its gotchas.
I've seen enough gripes about Tiles8 to know "familiar" is a big stretch.
In addition, many old boxes won't have device drivers compatible with the newer M$ OS.
A whole new box is an unnecessary expense that can be avoided--if you select the software that allows that.
(The hardware support offered by Linux is legendary.)
...and, of course, this would be a good point to mention that Linux is gratis.
Learning something new takes time
Point & click interfaces are more alike than different.
The time is ideal to learn the $0 software that will run on your old box.
Hall's "they're just [too] stupid[...]
Projecting much?
-- gewg_
(Score: 2) by quacking duck on Sunday September 21 2014, @04:58AM
This. As example, one thing I found incredible was the sheer volume and vileness of anti-Apple comments during the recent lead-up to the iPhone 6 launch. Some had truly legitimate points, the majority did not and were nothing more than personal insults or accusations that don't stand up to scrutiny. They were as bad as, if not worse, than the Apple fanbois.
I've disliked a number of Apple's recent decisions, so I've been ambivalent about my next personal phone. I asked for an HTC One M8 for work, so I'd be up to speed on one of the best Android had to offer. But the attitude and behaviour of the haters has me thinking of getting another iPhone just to spite them, especially since the Android experience hasn't blown me away.
(Score: 2) by frojack on Sunday September 21 2014, @06:31AM
I agree, belittlement, and well practiced verbal entrapment NEVER makes friends.
Maybe if Santa [kalovskihost.com] shaved, but on a suit and tie, and looked like something other than a hay-seed he might have more success convincing CEOs and CFOs of the cost effectiveness of Linux.
Until then, they guys on the IT staff who are sneaking Linux in the back door are doing a much better job of proving the worth of the OS to the bean counters than all the pontificating in the world. Most CEOs don't realize how much Linux they are already running.
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.