[CS-FSLUG] User Comfort & Change

[Don Parris]

On Mon, 14 Feb 2005 14:32:27 -0500, K Montgomery <keltik at nycap.rr.com> wrote:
> Quoting Don Parris <gnumathetes at gmail.com>:
> 
> > Just how important is user comfort when it comes to making decisions
> > about changing software?  Some people make it out to be all-important.
> >  I do agree that there is something to be said for user comfort and
> > proficiency with current software, but do not other factors, such as
> > maintenance, cost, stability, security, etc. play a role in the
> > decision-making process?
> 
> If the person who is "comfortable" is the one making the decision, then their
> comfort is, to them, of the utmost importance.
> 
> I think that for the end user to switch, the advantages in the other
> areas must
> clearly outweigh the disadvantage of relearning.  When I bring up Linux to
> Windows-based users, often their perception is that it's beyond their
> intellectual reach -- simply because it's not Windows, which they already know
> (and God knows they already have enough trouble with).  Believe it or
> not, I've
> seen the same reaction to Mac OS X (which almost looks like it was
> designed for
> a preschooler).
> 
How subjective is this criteria?  To me, the advantages _do_ clearly
outweight the disadvantages of relearning.  I seem unable to convince
others that they do.  I never did well in sales, either.  But I can
write and teach.  To some extent, sales is education.  So perhaps I
need to pose my question differently.  Where does the convincing part
come in?

At least one pastor informed me that "Penguin in the Pew" had indeed
influenced him.  He downloaded SUSE Linux 9.1 Live, and was planning
to install it on the computers in his church.  So I have influenced at
least one person.  But honing my ability to help others see the
advantages - at least in person - seems an entirely different matter.

> Remember that cost is not a factor if the user's existing software is already
> paid for, with no additional purchases required.  I just introduced
> Linux to an
> organization that needed a computer for guests in their building.  The
> hardware
> was available, but they didn't have a valid Windows license.  Therefore, Linux
> was a natural choice once I explained it to them a little.  (Unfortunately, I
> can't tell you how they've taken to it because it's still quite early.)
> 
> Any learning, however minimal, is really perceived as a "cost" to the person
> making the choice.  So is any lost software compatibility (i.e., a Windows
> program for which there is no readily acceptable equivalent).
> 
> Inevitably some people will refuse to switch because of laziness.  But even
> those who are willing to learn need hard proof that Linux (or any Free
> Software) is better than the status quo.  Personally, I think Linux has
> a great
> chance of getting end-user converts in the "kiosk" realm, where users
> need only
> a handful of applications, they don't need to customize their desktop, and
> security is a must.
> 
> - Kathy
> 
> 
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-- 
DC Parris GNU Evangelist
http://matheteuo.org/
gnumathetes at gmail.com
Free software is like God's love - 
you can share it with anyone anywhere anytime!