How To Steer People To Open Source on the Desktop?

I do not agree with “How To Kill Open Source on the Desktop?“.

It’s not the times of computers able to run one app at a time anymore. So the WordPerfect “killer app” strategy does not work anymore. No killer app is going to make people to switch platform anymore. People are used to wholesale “computing environments” that enables them to browse the web, edit documents, chat with friends etc. “Windows environment” mainly (that used the same corporate path to our homes as the PCs did).

There is not and will not be any single app, that could make them switch platforms. The only way it could happen is the evolutionary way. Mostly seamless way. For them, the transition should be unnoticeable.

This is the way, I’ve managed to convert my family desktops to Linux.

First tweaking with Windows desktop. When I replaced Internet Explorer with Firefox, there were some questions “Oh, the Internet icon is looking differently?”, “Are all my bookmarks still there? Oh, great.”. Then OpenOffice: “This Word is looking a bit different than at my work, but I do manage.”. Photo editing: “This gimpy thingy is a bit awkward at first, but very good once I got used to it.”.

After the few months, after one another Windows crash and “Why does your computer never crash?” I’ve tried: “Maybe you would like to try this Linux on your PC?”. Standard concerns: “Will Internet work? The same way? Will I be able to do my work, chat etc.”. Sure. In fact you’re using Linux apps daily. “Really? So, let’s see it.”

After installation (SuSE or Ubuntu – make your pick) there was a standard “The Start menu is a bit different.”, “These windows look a bit different, but nice.”, “Are all my bookmarks there?”, but my family got used to these small changes over the migration to OSS apps on Windows, so they took it granted.

The Firefox was there. The OOo was there. The GIMP… “Wee! It’s running even faster than before!”, Kadu looks different than GG, but “How cuter these icons are!”. Printer prints. Scanner scans. Internet is where it was. And look at these loads of games! My mum loved it. No Winamp? Oh, it’s called XMMS now… (Sis eventually switched to Listen for it’s last.fm integration.)

As with every major change it took time. Many little steps, gradual changes.But finally it worked. They do not miss their old environment. They explore the new one slowly, finding things they like; and do not like also. As with everything.

Thanks to Windows ports of our favourite OSS apps.