On Mon, 2007-01-29 at 14:35 +0000, Neil Greenwood wrote: > Hi all, > > I've just seen the following pledge, which is a rather good idea IMO. > > http://www.en-gb.pledgebank.com/linuxday >
I have mixed feelings about this. They are proposing people go into computer stores and effectively hassle retailers about Linux supported devices. Whilst I can see their reasoning, I feel it's deeply flawed on a number of levels. * It focuses on Linux only - the stores should be aware of all free software - Linux and non-linux, e.g. Firefox, OpenOffice.org, GAIM etc. They should be aware of DRM, licensing and freedom. Talking about Linux isn't enough. * We already have Software Freedom Day which is only one month after this proposed event. Perhaps these people should focus their attention on an already internationally recognised and well publicised event? * It seems to me to be deliberately antagonistic towards stores - these are people just trying to make a living like everyone else. Trolling them in the store for Linux drivers is only going to irritate them. They don't write the drivers, we should focus our attention on the manufacturers, not the retailers. > Can't hurt, might do a lot of good. > It can hurt. It could make retailers think "pesky Linux zealots wasting my time with these stupid questions". Fact is the people who would likely take up this challenge and go to store probably already know the answers to the questions they are asking. Why not flip it around and instead of asking the stores the third degree, *give* them the answers! Make leaflets and information packs, hand them CDs (which they can duplicate) and spend time to get to know the store owner, don't bitch at them to fix something they had very little hand in breaking in the first place. All IMO. Cheers, Al.
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