On 09/16/2011 02:29 PM, Nadav Har'El wrote:
There is only one short-term solution, and it is to do what I did: Computer stores can, and should, sell preinstalled Linux systems! Some computer store employee could spend 10 hours like I did setting up a typical Israeli setup on the typical computer he sells, and then offer buyers to have this OS for free (but with no warantee either), saving them 400-800 shekels on the price of the computer, a saving which is particularly significant when you consider that the current retail price for a newbie-oriented but feature-packed computer is just 1000 shekels.
Antoher issue I wanted to mention, and I don't know how many of you would agree, is regarding the pirated software in Israel. Here in the U.S , a store would rarely ever offer an installation of pirated software, the BSA here has a strong footprint. For many of the friends and family members that I have cheeked their computers in the past , it was *rare* to find an original software installed , from the OS and above. I do wonder what is the % of PC's sold in greater Israel, ( meaning not in BUG computers in central TLV ) , that actually leave the shop with genuine Windows installed. The obviousness of purchasing and paying full price for software in the western world makes the Linux marketing much easier, in my opinion. I believe that in places that software piracy is common, where a copy of WIn7 Home-edition is also " free " , it kind of takes the sting out.
I can easily imagine explaining with shiny eyes how GREAT Linux is for a fried of mine, while he tells me with dull eyes " oh well, but my PC Tech gives me Windows for free " and then if he gets a court order or some kind of fine, he will call me in 10 minutes flat saying " that Lunux or Minux you were talking about, it sounds great, come here and install it from me ! they want1500 NIS in order to install Windows on all my office computers !! who to they think I am, Rothschild ? !! ",
Amusingly enough, if the BSA will hit Israel computer shops hard, and very hard, I believe that it will do very good to Linux and Free-Software. But, with the drug dealer mentality that Microsft used to take over the software world - " let'em use it for free, you'll get them when they're hooked ", it may not be a surprise that not much is being done .
Guy
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