Linux Advocacy
This essay was originally written for a new on-line Linux magazine. Unfortunately, that project seems to be still-born, so I decided to publish it here instead of letting it go to waste.
You consider yourself a Linux advocate. When a friend’s systems is infected with the Windows virus du jour, you are quick to point out how secure Linux is in comparison. When he complains about random crashes, you are happy to quote your Linux uptime in weeks, days, hours and even minutes (failing to notice he nodded off before you reached the minutes). Face it, you are not an advocate. You are a zealot.
So how come you haven’t been able to convert anyone? Simple. For the same reason they always go to that crappy diner around the corner. It is familiar. Here’s a little advice to help you in your advocacy. Stop bugging them. You are annoying your friends.
You need to attack from a different angle. Instead of convincing them to jump neck deep into a brand new operating system, tempt them with a taste. Wait for a friend to complain about all the popup ads when they browse the internet, then pounce on him with a copy of Mozilla Firefox. Explain how it works just like Internet Explorer, but unerringly blocks the popup ads. Now you have them interested. Offer to install it for them. Show them the cool extensions available such as AdBlock and Web Developer. Every single person I have introduced to FireFox has fallen in love with it. If you start up with your standard rant of how vulnerable Internet Explorer is to web based exploits but FireFox is immune, you might notice their eyelids drooping. If that happens, you’ve lost them, so don’t bother. Stick to the annoying popups and you will win.
The next stop is in the office. Another copy of Microsoft Office is needed in your friend’s home-office. Have you seen the price of this package!? When your friend grumbles, show them OpenOffice.org. It’s free and it’s powerful. The word processor reads and writes Word doc files. Even better, it can create Adobe Acrobat (pdf) files instantly. The spreadsheet is also complete and powerful. Did I mention it’s free?
For every complaint, show them an open source solution. Too many instant messenger programs to keep in touch with everyone? Some are on AIM, others on Yahoo, and still others on MSN. Three (or more) programs just to chat. GAIM to the rescue. One program, many chats, zero cost.
The final solution I offer up this week is in email. Mozilla Thunderbird is an excellent and secure replacement for Outlook Express. Unfortunately, it’s missing the meeting planning capability of the full-blown version of Outlook, which even I must admit is excellent. However, as a mail client, it is far superior too Outlook. The built-in Bayesian filter will be most welcome by anyone being buried in spam.
Your friends haven’t switched to Linux because they are stupid. They are simply stubborn. Don’t argue with them. Don’t warn of the impending Windows apocalypse. Convert them slowly by introducing them to the best open source, multi-platform programs you can find. Though it isn’t Linux, it’s a start. It’s kind of like cooking frogs.
