Why try to convert windows users to linux?

[bazoukas]

I can understand this drive in the working place. Less windows boxes less of a headache. You just have it up and its running and thats that.
But when it comes to personal use what is your reasoning behind your attempts (f any) to convert windows users to linux?

I used to try to do the same thing. Now UNLESS a person by him self tells me in a serious manner "Hey I want to switch to linux", I dont even bother trying to explain to them what linux is, what it can do, what software is out there for it and so forth. Hell I dont even try to defend it when I get ignorant comments. I just laugh it off and let them in their ignorance.

The final straw that made me quit was when this guy had a *****fest about his fornts. The fonts were the alpha and the omega, so much so that he went back to windows.

I believe in darwanism. Why even bother, just let them in their state of bliss and work in making the actual community that has some brains to expand to people who actually are interested in learning new things.

[mrBen]

I think that there are a number of reasons, both valid and invalid, for wanting to see Windows users move across:


More users means better commercial support
If your friends and family are on Linux, and you are the token geek, then it makes life a lot simpler than having to reinstall for them every 6 months because of spyware, viruses, etc
Sometimes you just want people to understand, rather than just have them think you're a freak
Some of us genuinely believe that Linux is better, and we want the best for our friends/family
Philosophically some believe that people need to shift from proprietary OSs to Linux (/BSD) and there is a built-in desire to see that happen
More users means that software is likely to get better (thats how the OSS model works)


There are probably others, but that'll do for a start....

[hlrguy]

Couple years ago, as mrBen already pointed out, I took a ZERO Windows support policy. I installed Linux and would support that or they were on their own. Life went from basically being a tech support 3 or 4 days a week, to nothing. In two 1/2 years now, I have been tech support to replace a bad modem. For my family and in-laws, if Windows went 2 weeks without breaking something or having a problem, it was a time to rejoice. I don't convince, I don't sell, I tell them I don't do windows anymore. (I leave it dual booting with all internet access disabled for games and the odd program they still like to use).

Do you find yourself doing tech support for your Windows friends, if so, stop. There is no incentive for them to learn anything new.

hlrguy

[irlandes]

Same as trying to change folks religion. I once upon a time attended a rather conservative, evangelical church. That is, they desired to convert people, or so they said.

Our old pastor told us it was virtually impossible to convert people by "getting in their face." And, I am sure you know what I mean. Rudely get in someone's face, or hand strangers a card in the street, and tell them, "If you don't change to MY religion RIGHT NOW TODAY, you are probably going to hell."

Or some version thereof. And, don't tell me no one has ever laid that crap on you.

He said the only proven way to get someone to listen to your viewpoint is as follows:

1. First, make it obvious you are living by your professed beliefs. If you claim to be a Christian, and you are chasing half the married women in your neighborhood, or boozing it up, or driving like a fiend, DON'T LET ANYONE KNOW YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN, THANKS!!!

2. When someone notices your lifestyle as a good thing, and asks why you live that way, then is your chance to tell them.

OTHERWISE, KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT, OR YOU ALIENATE PEOPLE!

In my opinion, the same thing is true of Linux conversions. If you aggressively push Linux, people firmly resist. Learn Linux, then there will be opportunities to explain to people why their pretty Windows system blew up, and yours has been stable as a rock, and why you don't pay a fortune for antivirus or spyware protection that only works part of the time.

[je_fro]

Don't laugh about the greek fonts. They're important if you work in science.
Luckily there's Lyx, otherwise I'd be posting this from an NTFS on (hd0,0).
As far as the topic goes....I think there are enough linux users already...if new ones came along at a rate equal to the old ones dying off, that would be great. I think a flood of morons are on their way, and none of them will bother to RTFM.

[bazoukas]

I also have a zero policy for fixing windows machines. I find the whole "random clicking" very annoying. I just play it stupid when they ask me to trouble shoot a windows machine. :rolleyes: