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----- Original Message ----- From: "Alex Charrett" <alex@xxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <list@xxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Thursday, January 20, 2005 5:07 PM Subject: Re: [LUG] Meeting in Paignton
My main point is that I don't belive being obstinate about what to call it is more important than the cause of free software.
Agreed wholeheartedly. As far as I am concerned as a 9 year Winblows user converting to Linux, I am much more concerned with a reliable easy-to-use alternative than what it is called. For all I care it could be called Slartibartfarst's First OS ;) There is a time and place for discussions about licensing and correct terminology. With the greatest respect to those more expert in such areas, I think the dual aims of educating people about the nature of various licenses, and converting them from other OSs to Linux are mutually exclusive, at least to a certain extent. A two stage process is more appropriate IMHO, first get them using Linux, *then* teach them what the different licenses and ethos are. I'm generalising, but I suspect the vast majority of contributors and lurkers on this (and other) LUG mailing lists are fairly technically adept. If we want Joe/Jane Bloggs in the street to convert to Linux we can't be scaring him/her off with insistence on correct terminology all the time. The number of customers I've spoken to in the last few years who referred to "Uploading" information from their CD-ROM or floppy disk could make you tear your hair out. The average computer user does not care what the correct terms for what they do are, they just want it to work. If we just accept the quirks and let the users get on with learning the new OS I think everyone will be a lot happier, and a lot more productive. Yes you can gently prod the person and tell them it's called "copying" not uploading, but don't be surprised when they reply "Oh.... It's called uploading on Windows, why does Linux have to be different?" Some people don't want to know the technical terms, they just want to use their computer. On a side issue I just thought of. The average user is familiar with the terms Linux and *Linux User Group* or LUG. So if they want help on Linux in their area they will go to Mr Google and type in, for example "Devon LUG". If the group name is changed to GLUG the chances are Google will miss the group entirely, or even if the helpful query says "Did you mean Devon GLUG?" the user will say No not knowing a GLUG from a hole in the wall. Kind regards, Julian -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 265.7.1 - Release Date: 19/01/2005 -- The Mailing List for the Devon & Cornwall LUG Mail majordomo@xxxxxxxxxxxx with "unsubscribe list" in the message body to unsubscribe.