First I would like to say that Microsoft is doing a fine job of driving users to us with their high prices and restrictive user rights.

Second I would like to say that any one choosing to use Microsoft software should be paying Microsoft prices for doing so.

Therefore I urge all Linux Users to help with Microsoft's fight against piracy of their software
and report anyone selling pirated or discounted Microsoft software to Microsoft.

Visit http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/Reporting.mspx or Email piracy@microsoft.com

I also urge you, if not already posted, to post this unchanged as your own on any Linux forum you visit.

I see no point. I will neither report piracy nor will I encourage it. As I see it, it's their problem, not ours (as a community). As such, I prefer indifference and let Microsoft stew in their own juice.

You also have to realize that most of us don't think we have to actively promote Linux. 99% of us are end users. We aren't all marketing executives for Linux.

At the same time I will definitely speak out whenever I get the chance against their unethical business practives and for consumer protection and freedom.

People forced into using Linux do not make happy Linux users.

I would rather attract people to Linux than drive them away from Windows.

I don't remember anyone suggesting Linux to me :-/ I don't see why I should suggest it to random people. I don't know why every now and then an end user takes it upon themselves to convert a large amount of people to Linux.

I completely agree. Finally someone put into words what I've been thinking for a long time now.

Yup.. the problem is .. not even those you "attract" tend to make very happy users. If you advertise Linux as you would advertise "your product", you'd better be ready to prove you didn't waste your "customer's" time [and maybe money]

I like things the way they are. Linux is going strong and keeps getting better. There is still a doofus-filter element that keeps the unwashed mainstream away. We don't need the sharks and scammers that thrive in the windows world. We don't want to be number one -- quite frankly that would suck, because everything would change, especially the community feeling we share now. Not to mention there would be strong pressure to dumb things down (there already is a smell of that in the air at times).

Linux is doing fine as a niche os alternative.

Let there be a linux-based contender to fight nastysoft (I think it's a worthy fight) but don't make us all have to use it, since it will likely be full of arbitrary compromises and simplifications.

Bottom line, though: as long as the rich and varied linux world I know and love doesn't get perverted into something weird and awful, I don't care a whole lot about the number of users either way.

What is this, some type of forward for forums, sort of like spamming from your friends when they want you to keep the chain going and you get to make a wish.. pfftt!

Very good points. Users should learn how to use an OS and not be dumb. It did not hurt me to learn how to do a few things from xterm. I hope that ReactOS becomes more usable as a Windows replacement because it is trying to be Windows compatible and have a similar interface. It will be great FOSS for windows users who need an open solution. I would try to help with it if I could but I know nothing about OS design. I personally like the design of *nix systems more than win32 anyway.

I would like to see more Linux users so that game developers would develop more for Linux but we don't need n00bz running everything as root and asking where the Windows Media Player launcher is. ("Newbs" is a different term that describes people who understand what Linux is and are willing to learn how to use it properly.)

I can relate to the urge to proselytize--whenever someone discovers a great new thing, there is an urge to tell the world. The avid Linux user needs to be able to relate to potential converts. Ask yourself how your friend, relative, etc. would solve one of the problems that you have faced. How would they fare in a similar situation? The unfortunate reality is that many people are simply not going to exert the effort required to get up the Linux learning curve.

What IS important is to speak out against various borderline business practices which--in the aggregate--tend to keep the general public in the dark about the alternative to Windows, etc. I have yet to see a mainstream computer store have a Linux machine on display. Why? Why do radio commentators make no mention of any choice in computing past MS and Apple?

Bottom line: There is much we can do without being pushy. But definitely promote positives---just bashing MS is not going to be productive.

In all likelyhood, one started by microsoft astroturfers.

Whenever I think about recommending linux to someone I consider the learning curve and adjustments that would be needed to make the transition. In the end I always end up concluding that it really be too much trouble for them. I think that there are certain situations where it would be feasible to recommend linux to users with basic needs. For example your grandmother isn't going to know how to use a computer anyways so if you're the one supporting it, then you might as well install something that isn't going to become infected with all sorts of malware. However, this is assuming that she has very basic needs. If she just checks her email and only goes to a few websites then there might not be any problems for her. Imagine though that one of her friends recommends this great new Bridge site. Problem is it only runs in Internet Explorer or maybe it uses Shockwave. Now you get to explain why linux is better than windows without leaving her feeling gypped.

Thats why I agree with the previous posts. It is better to attract users than to try and convert them. I think that by trying to convert people by telling them to install linux because it's great might do more harm than good. These people have their expectations dashed when things don't go smoothly. One computer technician who told me "linux sucks", gave no reasons or logic to his statement other than "so and so said it was awesome and I couldn't even get 'widget X' working".

That's what wine is for.
...instead of getting to explain why you didn't virus-proof the computer. Being suckered into being voluntary tech support has a general tendency to be a pain in the ass.

And what to do when grandma calls up and asks what these virus things that keeps popping up are. Oh I guess I can upgrade her antivirus for her when the subscription runs out.

A properly setup linux box with firefox and thunderbird will easily serve her needs just as well as it would in windows in most cases. Once setup will require less maintenance like defragging and virus scans. Regular virus scans? Yeah right she won't even remember to do them. Schedule them you say? That might work if she has her computer on when the scan is scheduled to run.

She will have issues no matter what OS she uses. So either way i'm gonna hear from granny.

Btw I didn't know shockwave worked with wine i'll have to check that out thanks for the info !!!

Why do we always want to move more users to linux? although it would be great!!! I belive it would ruin the close knit community forums like this. I have been a member for awhile and have read through these forums and know bout all the people who have been here awhile from reading. I see the mods and how hard they work to make this a friendly place and if everyone dropped windows today linux forums like this would goto hell. I like the current situation the way it is. Let all those that want to use windows just use it and keep linux friendy.

sometimes it would be fun to setup a dumbest linux system on top of your current system as an "nothing better to do self-assignment" ... get some simple windows users(preferably those gramma-nazi) , lab-test on them and see how far you can go ...


most probably you will fail badly , but anyway ...


.