[clue-talk] saving money with Linux

[Brian Gibson]

Convince them to buy a netbook with Linux preinstalled.  Netbooks are cheap, and often cheaper than their Windows equivalent, making it an inexpensive introduction that friends/family can put to immediate use.

Linux has 1/3 of the global market:
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9140343/Linux_s_share_of_netbooks_surging_not_sagging_says_analyst

http://blog.laptopmag.com/one-third-of-dell-inspiron-mini-9s-sold-run-linux


----- Original Message ----
From: Louis Miller <miller106c at comcast.net>
To: Clue-Talk <clue-talk at cluedenver.org>
Sent: Wed, December 9, 2009 9:48:55 AM
Subject: [clue-talk] saving money with Linux

*Hello,

       I don't think Linux users think about all the ways that using Linux saves them money over using a legacy OS, or in addition to using a legacy OS. That is one of the reasons I got started with it. For convincing friends to give it a try, I think it is good to have some ideas about that.

       I realize that for most of you, you may not think about this too much. Linux has become something far removed from just a financial decision. But, for users of other OSs, this might be compelling.

       The most obvious ways that come to mind are continuing to use a printer that the manufacturer doesn't support into the next OS. I had someone give me an HP printer, when they upgraded enthusiastically to Vista from XP. Ubuntu didn't have any trouble finding a driver for me. Using OpenOffice, instead of Microsoft Office.

       Maybe, programming suites. It would depend on what the person uses their computer for. Continuing to use older computers after they should be obsolete. Keeping legal, while installing multiple copies of Linux on several hard drives plugged into the same computer or installing it on several computers.

       Now, that the holidays are coming up, it would be great to convince people that giving Linux to them would be giving them a gift, instead of a curse. I think that is how most computer users view Linux.

       For me, saving just $100 would be worth it to buy a used hard drive and install it and learn some new programs. For many people with more money than me, they might need an incentive of $500 or $1,000 in savings in order to give it a try.

Louis
*
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