[W2l] Idea: "Welcome to Open Source" instead of "Welcome to Linux" this year

[Dotan Cohen]

> When talking with someone a few days ago, I had a moment of Serendipity (see:
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serendipity ). Why don't we do a "Welcome-to-
> FOSS" (Free and Open Source Software) this year instead of "Welcome-to-Linux"?
> We could show people some cool stuff about FOSS in both Linux and Windows:
>

I think that this is a great idea, in fact I often introduce new users
to Firefox and occasionally to Open Office as well.

> 1. Cross-platform (or even Windows-only) User-oriented FOSS - Firefox,
> OpenOffice.org, Inkscape, VirtualBox, GIMP, 7-zip, Notepad++, Audacity,
> various FOSS games, other stuff here -
> http://wiki.perl.org.il/index.php/FOSS_on_Windows and here -
> http://www.opensourcewindows.org/
>

This is a great idea. I must state, however, that in contrast to other
FOSS applications (such as Firefox, Audacity, and Thunderbird),
introductions to Open Office and Gimp should start with their
drawbacks (OOo-MSO compatibility issues, Gimp UI different than
Photojopa). Once users convince themselves that they can live with the
drawbacks, they are then ready to accept the benefits. Firefox,
Thunderbird, and Audacity do not suffer from serious drawbacks so this
is not really an issue with them.


> 2. Open Source Development with a focus on rapid scripts/GUI-programs/etc.
> development using Perl/Python/Ruby/etc.[ScriptLang]
>
> 3. "Don't be afraid of the command line." - why the UNIX command line can be
> useful.
>

No! This should _never_ be in an introduction to anything! _You_ find
it comfortable, others find it scary. Don't tread here.


> 4. The Free and Open Source Software philosophy and ideology and its positive
> implications on FOSS development and the computer and software industry:
>
>        - http://www.shlomifish.org/philosophy/foss-other-beasts/
>
>        - http://www.shlomifish.org/philosophy/obj-oss/
>
>        - Also see the links from there.
>
> (Ori would probably be happy to give it.)
>

Just don't make it a religion and people will be interested.


> 5. And naturally and possibly - something about how to try out Linux, possibly
> using a VirtualBox/etc. VM.
>

I find that giving them a dual-boot system works better than giving them a VM.


-- 
Dotan Cohen

http://what-is-what.com
http://gibberish.co.il