[kwlug-disc] Google dumps Windows OS

[unsolicited]

Chris Frey wrote, On 06/01/2010 7:21 PM:
> On Tue, Jun 01, 2010 at 06:49:53PM -0400, unsolicited wrote:
>> All I'm saying, or said, is, I wish we had already solved this still 
>> ongoing problem such that when an article says "... is switching to 
>> Linux", a body could walk into a store and pick one up as easily as 
>> going in to get an iPad or a Mac. We're just not there yet, and we're 
>> still at a point wherein nobody knows how to effectively get us there.
>>
>> Switching to 'Linux' is better than nothing. Switching to <xyz>, for 
>> the same effort, would be far more useful.
> 
> So, you seem to be saying that if Google announced it was switching to
> "Unix" and in reality had put BSD-based MacBooks on everyone's desk, that
> you'd have the same problem with them, because they would be announcing
> a technology switch instead of a brand switch?

Yes.

> If we ever get to the point that buying "Linux" means buying some
> specific product, we'll have lost a lot in the process.
> It might be easier to sell, but consumer enlightenment would not have
> budged an inch.

Agreed. BUT - I don't think the two are mutually exclusive.

And I'm not saying it's not wishful thinking to 'already be there.'

But, what was it, Xandros (?) attempted to go where I'm talking about 
with 'Linux'. As in, as effective as the word 'Mac.'

Even if it was successful, and people bought Xandros' as readily as 
they buy 'Macs', I don't think it would ultimately prove the demise of 
Debian or Fedora. In that world, I don't think much would change, 
other than, perhaps, there would be a higher rate of adoption to date.

I'd just like, wishfully so, that the world was over this initial hump 
of 'Linux' so they could then move on to an educated choosing of 
Kubuntu, CentOS, or whatever, rather than where we are currently.

I just think that we'd get to, and over this initial hump, faster, if 
they used something consumer tangible in text these days, rather than 
'Linux.'

Compare, today-speak, the words 'Linux' and 'Ubuntu'. When you think 
about it, it's rather astonishing the recognition 'Ubuntu' has, today, 
given how long it's (not) been around.