[oclug] Priming folks to switch to FLOSS

[MacDonald, Charles R [NC]]

"Rod Giffin" <rod at giffinscientific.com> said:
<<But, you can get Open Office and Mozilla for Windows for free.>>

At the risk of offending some, I am coming to the conclusion that this may be the best method of educating folks about the value of OSS - let them see OOo and Mozilla in their Winders versions.  Show them the "block images from this server" and accept cookies from here but not there features.  Let them see .DOC files that are smaller but still open in the Non-Free software.  After that you will find a more receptive audience to make the big switch from the familiar.

There are in fact a coupple of projects that select a ISO full of free software for windows and package it into a handy little CD that you can stick into a windows machine and start to dip your toes.

In the situation that Patrick was talking about yesterday, the concern is that folks who are supposed to be learning about the insides of computers may by accident or ommision be learning the insides of one closed off platform instead.

--
Charles MacDonald HRDC - Labour Information Management Phase II - 8th (819) 953-1079 charles.macdonald at hrdc-drhc.gc.ca
< My own Opinion unless Otherwise Credited >