[clug] Software Freedom Day

[Arjen Lentz]

Hi Mike, all,

On 20/06/2009, at 11:35 AM, Mike Carden wrote:
> We could probably have another go at what we did 2 years ago. We set
> up a stall at the Computer Fair with info and machines running cool
> FOSS. Chris and I freaked people out by handing out free software CDs,
> some with Windows FOSS and some Linux distros. We had some fun, though
> peoples' reactions were funny when we tried to give them stuff for  
> nothing.

There's two simple tactics for dealing with this:

a) make it a gift and invoke reciprocity. For this to work, you should  
present it as a gift, and have it explicitly accepted (not just handed  
out in passing). The reciprocity (people may ask: so what do I have to  
do?, or what can I do?) can be simply stated like have them give the  
disk to a friend after they've installed stuff, help out others asking  
for info or help with programs, help on lists/forums, help out on the  
booth next year, etc.

b) Sell disks for a gold coin donation. People value things more if  
there's a perceived value (or scarcity) attached to something. The  
donation is not large enough to make it a sale (psychologically) as  
clearly (I hope ;-) the perceived value of what's on the disk is far  
greater. So, reciprocity is still likely to get invoked, if you  
present it right.


> The stall was well attended all day as you might expect at a  
> computer fair
> but even though the audience was pre-selected to have an interest in  
> computers
> it was astonishing just how many people had no idea at all of FOSS.

Welcome to the real world.
And rather than plonking the whole philosophy on 'em, do keep it  
simple and practical for THEM. What do THEY get out of FOSS *today*.
(the feelgood factor of more ethical software development methods is  
not likely to appeal to these people ;-)


> BTW, Naveen might claim to be a newbie, but he's a graduate of the
> ANU's inaugural FOSS course, so I think he's being a tad modest. :-)


;-)


Regards,
Arjen.
-- 
Arjen Lentz, Director @ Open Query (http://openquery.com)
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