ubuntu-advertising team mailing list archive

[alan c <aeclist@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On 28/12/10 12:40, Barry Drake wrote:
> Completely new users would only come on board if we could supply them
> with a pre-installed Ubuntu machine from a high-street store,  That
> isn't going to happen any time soon.  Question: where are they going to
> buy their first PC?  Not online, obviously.

I have three times in two years been asked to advise and help to 
retail purchase an Ubuntu mid range laptop for acquaintances  and 
friends. Two of them were highly NON technical, elderly people. The 
key was them knowing someone or somewhere to buy a retail item. I was 
in the background  to support  them if anything turned up. In all 
cases I pointed them to UK Linux Emporium, who gave quite outstanding 
service and support. They also later gave me detailed information and 
advice about upgrading the Ubuntu version after the warranty had 
ended, and when I had taken over support (as a friend) of two of them.

1) There was a 'where to get' issue. The 'store' *does* exist online 
if you know where. They had no trouble doing this. They were buying 
items online with Windows anyway. I have said elsewhere that I have a 
90 year old relative who regularly does shopping online. Online 
purchase is not in itself a problem I believe.

2) There was a 'friends and family' support issue. Often this is no 
problem with Windows, when even the kids next door think they know a 
lot. No purchases would have been made without a helping hand as 
friend from a distance - in this case, from me. Even a purchase from a 
specialist store will need a friend or family to call upon, just like 
Windows!

My comment is that it is not only item 1) at issue here. It can 
usually be solved much more easily than item 2) which depends on 
geographical location, density of local friendly users of Ubuntu or 
family.  I have friends in Inverness (Scotland, UK), 600 miles away 
from me, who need a couple of installs, re installs. I have not yet 
been their way to visit and have so far failed to find a local person 
who could or would do the work, paid or unpaid. I do not include LUGs 
in this because my experience of several LUGS shows that the 
environment is too daunting for the real beginner who never intends to 
be a techie. (Although I think LUGs are great)

--
alan cocks
Ubuntu user