On Mon, 2004-01-12 at 06:54, Dennis Kibbe wrote:
> When I recently registered arslinux.net I created a "Carte d?visit"
> (business card in English) to hand out with my new e-mail address. A
> friend to whom I gave the card asked me if I knew a good pop-up blocker.
> It surprised me that he still didn't know about Mozilla! So I've decided
> to use the back of the card to try to educate those I meet.
>
> Now, I know this doesn't say anything about Free Software (and most of
> the programs listed aren't) but it's all I can fit on the back of a
> standard 3inx2.5in card, even with 7 pt. type.
>
> I'll consider the card successful if they accept that the problem is
> with their use of inferior (M$) software /and/ that there is something
> they can do to help. It always surprises me that so many people don't
> know there is life outside IE & OE.
>
> I'm hoping the card will be my "foot in the door" to talk about FS/OS
> alternatives.
>
> Please read the text below. I'd like to get some feedback from the
> group, before I print a bunch.
>
> Thx, Dennis Kibbe
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------
>
> Do Your Part to Reduce Spam
>
> If you're still using Microsoft Internet Explorer and Outlook Express
> you /are/ part of the problem! Security flaws in Microsoft products are
> a big contributor to the amount of spam we all have to deal with
> everyday. You can do your part to help reduce this flood of unwanted
> mail by /not/ using Internet Explorer or Outlook Express. It's not hard
> to make the change! The programs listed below are all superior Microsoft
> products and free for the downloading!
>
> Mozilla Internet Suite - http://www.mozilla.org
> Pegasus Mail - http://www.pmail.com
> Eudora - http://www.eudora,com
> Opera - http://www.opera.com
----
since you asked for commentary... None of those listed are Microsoft
products at all and even the term free for the downloading is not
entirely accurate. There are licenses and restrictions of use on all but
mozilla I think.
Personally, I am resistant to anyone who seeks to change what I do. This
strikes me as similar to the person that knocks on my door to tell me
how my life will change when I fill my heart with Jesus.
If your point is, doing this will stop spam - you're wrong, it won't. It
would only help a little even if everyone in the world stopped using IE
& OE. If they install and maintain a anti-virus product on their
computer it is far less material which commercial product they use.
'so many people don't know that there is life outside of IE and OE' was
your statement and I would say that they have not found a reason to
care. If they can access their email and the internet, they are happy
and they probably aren't concerned about the politics of computing.
Market forces have their own dynamic and when Linux has the proper mix
of software, usability for the average computer user and the
distribution channels for software and hardware, people will recognize
the value and hopefully seek out the knowledge of why 'Free Software'
works for them.
Encouraging people to trade one commercial proprietary product for
another doesn't make much sense to me and I doubt that it will make much
sense to them. Just because you can download, install and use it without
paying for a fee or license doesn't mean much...for example, using
Eudora in sponsored mode (free) subjects you to the stream of
advertisements.
Personally, this makes you appear to be an anti-Microsoft zealot which
is not at all what I would like Linux users to be recognized as.
Craig
(text/plain)