Comments regarding Ep. 55 topics

[Judland]

Great show, guys.

Just had a few comments that I'd like to share regarding some of the topics you discussed during the last episode. It's a long post... sorry about that.

Glad that you received the CD okay. I look forward to hearing and/or reading your comments about ALT Compact. Just so you're aware, Compact has been designed to be a “lighter weight” Linux distro., limiting the number of options presented in the initial install that may overwhelm new Linux users. However, by using the ALT repositories, most needs of the more experienced users is covered with the large selection of installable applications.

Anyhow....

In my efforts in getting the “average” computer user interested in the Linux OS, I've learned a few things. The following observations are purely a result of my own personal experiences. So, don't be offended if I've experienced something different than what you have found.

First, I've learned that most “average” people (at least in North America) will not even look at a product if it isn't on TV or other main stream media format. Marketing seems to be everything in this country (for this discussion I'll lump Canada and the US into the same group). To be taken seriously by those unaware of such things like Linux, pretty packaging, unfortunately, is the first step towards acceptance.

I'm glad you liked the “packaging” of the CD I sent you. It seems to be working so far.
(By the way, those graphic elements were all done in GIMP then composed and printed with OODraw)

Second, free doesn't necessarily seem to do much to sway the “average” PC owner. I've been selling ALT CDs on eBay for some time now. I began with simply offering the CDs at a price to cover my materials, which was $1.50US. This resulted in no sales whatsoever. So, I increased the price.
$4.00 – nothing
$7.00 – a few sales
$11.00 – even more (sustained) sales
$17.00 – fewer sales

So, it seems to be that, when trying to interest people in new products, there's a certain price range that people feel comfortable with. Not too expensive to give the feeling of “rip-off,” but not too inexpensive to suggest “cheap.” This was the most surprising lesson to me, I think.

Support has been another issue, but not as much as the other two. I haven't sold thousands, but enough that I feel has given me a nice cross-section of “average” computer users out there. It has been a rare occasion where my offer for free service and support has actually been requested.

I have e-mailed the odd follow up to those who've purchased from me, and those who've replied seem to be doing well. In fact, even local clients are still using ALT and show no signs of disappointment. In fact, with this latest release (which I sent you) only a few seemed interested in even bothering to update.

For the record, I'm not selling Linux in the hopes of becoming rich from it. I may even have given away more Linux CDs than I've sold. All I really want is to see Linux become "mainstream" in the PC industry. I'm just trying to combat marketing with marketing.

I think the biggest challenge for Linux on the desktop right now is marketing. If people could just learn to look beyond what the big corporations keep telling them, we'd all be better off.

I also put together a package I call "Instant Linux In a Box." It's not doing too badly either. What it is, basically, is a Knoppix bootable CD with a 12 page instruction manual that I've written, all bundled up in a colourful DVD box.

The premise is: Make your PC a Linux PC in less than 5 minutes. Steps on installation and how to use KDE included with simple to understand instructions included.

It's been an easy way to get some people to give Linux a try without any risk to their existing system.

Other stuff...

You asked to comment about the intro. music. Better than what I could do, I'm sure. So, it's fine with me.

TLLTS is what it is. You talk about the things that are important to you and what you find entertaining. As a result, those of us who tune in are obviously interested in what you have to say, so are therefore entertained as well. I'd say you may wish to change the format if no one listened, but we are... so why mess with a format that works. People who don't like the show don't have listen. Simple.

Looking forward to next week's show.

[Judland]

Hey Guys.

Thanks for trying out and giving your opinions on the ALT Linux Compact distro. I sent you. It was nice to hear some constructive criticism.

I'm going to share your findings with the ALT development team. I'm sure they will find it useful. They're that kind of people and work hard at making a product people will use.

Really, that's one of the reasons I use ALT distros. I have a question or a problem, I get an answer and help right from the source. That really makes the difference for me.

Dan is correct in saying that Compact is not the complete ALT distro package. It's been designed to install with minimum effort and with fewer applications that can sometimes confuse new Linux users. It's also a distro that focuses on security rather than customability. What packages are made available for the different distro version (like Compact) are developed to work with them with little or no compatibility issues.

Anyway, thanks again for the feedback. I appreciate the time.