[ale] Open Source Apps [OT]

[Greg]

Well, "even a liar can tell the truth".  I think that is an ancient Chinese
proverb.

Not to say that all marketing is a lie, but the truth is independent of the
message or conduit of communication. Given that one is indeed the best, then
logic dictates that one marketing department is indeed correct.  It is up to
the individual to determine the best of whatever.  In software, the best is
dependent on many variables.  For instance I am typing this on Windows 2K
and Outlook.  Despite having a dozen OS's and as many mail clients, I prefer
this OS and mail client.  Why ?  Don't know for sure, just do.  However, I
don't intend to upgrade to XP nor do I use any Windows server products at
home.  Why ?  I feel that they are inappropriate.

So.  2 reasons for 2 decisions.  One based on objective evaluation and one
based on just preference.  What percentage of folks use one and what
percentage use the other methodology ?

Greg

> -----Original Message-----
> From: ale-bounces at ale.org [mailto:ale-bounces at ale.org]On Behalf Of
> ChangingLINKS.com
> Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2004 1:49 PM
> To: Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts
> Subject: Re: [ale] Open Source Apps [OT]
>
>
> > > No. I think the bigger problem is that those with more knowledge of
> > > the product THINK that the better product should win the market. That
> > > is (almost) NEVER true.
> >
> > There's a huge flaw in that statement, in regard to this discussion.
> > Virtually all people who prefer Linux over Windows know both products.
> > Virtually all people who prefer Windows over Linux only know how to
> > spell Linux.  Ask anyone who uses Linux what their experiences are with
> > Windows.  Do the same for your average Windows geek. I do mean windows
> > geek, not windows user.  I've never met anyone who pushes Microsoft
> > technology who also has any experience with Linux.
>
> I meant to clarify that the MARKET LEADER is rarely if ever the better
> product. I am not talking about 100% of the Linux users on this
> list. I am
> talking about the globe.
> It takes more effort and will to find the best product (even with
> Mountain
> bikes, you can get one at Walmart, or shop harder and get higher quality).
>
> > > Coke Example: Even Coke says Coke does not taste as good as Pepsi
> >
> > This whole argument makes no sense to me either.  I don't particularily
> > care for Coke or Pepsi. The once in a blue moon I find myself at
> > McDonalds I'll get a coke because their ice tea is usually weeks old.
> > If my only choices were Coke or Pepsi, I'd choose Coke because
> of the taste.
>
> Yes. But you seem "anti-Market Leader" a concept which has been
> marketed to
> you. You rarely go to McDonald's. You probably boycott Walmart.
> You probably
> don't use the major/leading ISP in your area. You probably avoid
> other big
> brand names. You don't like M$FT at all. You don't even like Coke or
> Pepsi. :)
> And, I am suuuuuure that you feel your perception is "the best."
> Only idiots
> support those companies that offshore. Only idiots use Windows. And, you
> probably don't feel that any marketing was involved in helping you make a
> decision to be so "anti."
>
> > Drew, your problem is you believe so much in marketing that you think
> > it's the answer to everything.  It's not.
>
> Yes. I think that marketing plays a significant role in many
> things. I don't
> "believe" in marketing. I just observe the mechanics of decision
> making. How
> much stuff do we really decide on our own without communication
> and influence
> from others?
> "Hey, you should try Linux because . . . ."
> Everything after the "because" and the "should" qualify as Marketing.
> Marketing is done through different media. Word of Mouth, written
> words, TV,
> Radio. Some or all of those influenced your decision to try
> Linux. The fact
> that you perceive that you found more information to support your
> decision is
> irrelevant. The fact that you take an interest in trying to gather more
> pro-Linux and anti-Microsoft information (so that you can "share" it with
> others) is relevant. The bottom line is we all communicate and
> MOST of that
> communication is marketing, or trying to push our ideas on others.
>
> > Not all people fall for the
> > lies.
>
> ALL people fall for *some* lies.
> Our opinions/perceptions are illusions or lies in and of themselves. Of
> course, you imply that YOU are better than the rest of us. You
> make all of
> your decisions by doing extensive research via your own testing
> and take no
> information or opinions of others into account. I am sure you
> PERCEIVE that
> you choose the best product every time. Guess what? That's a lie. :)
>
> To illustrate: You pat yourself on the back for using Linux over
> Microsoft,
> BUT do you use the "BEST" Linux? Have you really tried them all
> with all of
> their different configurations or did you settle for an inferior
> product? So
> you use the best distro, have you tried all of the Window
> managers (even the
> ones that don't come as a default)? Tried ALL of the filesystems
> available?
> Are "we" omniscient, or did we stop gathering info when our perception
> satisfied our egotistical need for having "the best."? :)
>
> > That's all marketing is.  Twists of the truth, have truths and
> > bald face lies.
>
> I have heard something like that before, although the statement was not
> marketed to me in a way where I feel that it is immutable.
> Assuming your position is true, then recognize that we are ALL liars.
> And, I should clarify here that money is not the only motive for
> marketing.
>
> Religion is marketed.
> For example: How many of us just discovered the Bible (for
> example) on our
> own? Family, Friends and religious leaders help us in "believing or
> perceiving" the religion. Let's look past the televangelists who
> do nothing
> but "Christian Informercials . . ."
> Did you notice that 30% of the 10 commandments are MARKETING
> statements to
> promote the Biblical God?
> (Before anyone gets their panties in a bunch about that
> statement, test what I
> am saying by inserting "MicroSoft" where you see "God" in the
> commandments).
>
> ONE: 'You shall have no other OSes before ME*.' (Microsoft Millennium)
> TWO: 'You shall not make for yourself any likeness of the Microsoft OS
> (I butchered that one quite a bit, but it illustrates the point)
> THREE: 'You shall not take the name of the Microsoft your OS in vain.'
>
> The Bible even markets itself as "The Word of God." So even if
> you made it to
> the Bible without any exposure to the expousing of others, you
> will "get the
> message" from reading it. TO CLARIFY: I am not saying you are a
> Christian, or
> that there aren't people out there who make "better" religious decisions,
> rather I am pointing out the ROLE OF MARKETING in religion which helps
> Christianity be the MARKET LEADER in the euroworld.
>
> You market yourself with your resume. You market your new
> business. You market
> your Anti-Microsoft opinion. You market Suse. You market your political
> opinions. You market you "anti-Capitalism, hate the big company"
> attitudes.
> YOU market Linux to your friends via Word of Mouth. How much
> lying are you
> doing?
>
> You will probably backpedal by saying your communication is fair,
> unbiased and
> that you do not market to others but merely "share information or 'the
> facts'."
>
> You will probably tell us that YOU do not "lie" (in the same
> context) . . . .
>
> . . . . but we all know that the communication will simply be an
> attempt to
> market yourself and your point of view.
>
>
> 			I don't buy it. :)
> --
> Wishing you Happiness, Joy and Laughter,
> Drew Brown
> http://www.ChangingLINKS.com
>
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