[clug] Software Freedom Day

[jm]

I second these comment. To understand why read,

Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion
Robert B. Cialdini
Collins Business
ISBN: 978-0061241895

Arjen has invoked Reciprocity, I wondering if we can hit Social Proof as 
well. If the Software Freedom Days are as popularly as has been reported 
this may already be the case.

Jeff.

Arjen Lentz wrote:
> 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.