[Lvlug] Business Selling Computers

[Randy Kramer]

Linc,

Thanks for your reply!

I think my response to Dann covers most of the points you raise -- I did
expound a bit further in a few cases below.

Linc Fessenden wrote:
> And I will expound a bit on Danns..
> 
> > First, the majority of users have a hard enough time using windows.
> 
> True enough, but I believe a lot of this can be overcome with Linux just
> due to it's nature of being more stable and more secure...  Most people
> using windows become quickly frustrated with it's perpensity to crash
> several times during normal day-to-day operating. And even more so during
> program installation.  These are two points that Linux wins hands down.

Yup, I want to offer a system that never has to be rebooted.  It might
not have all the applications somebody wants, but as long as they stick
with what we sold them (or offer as supported upgrades), the system is
never rebooted.  (We might have to talk about including a UPS or a
journalling file system that can recover properly after a power outage
-- I'm not sure all of them can.)
 
> > the people that probably use their computers for the internet, email, and
> > word processing.  All fine and dandy so long as they are not using AOL.
> 
> Big problem here alogn with MSN and the other proprietary internet
> services - at least for now.  Many (except MSN) are still working on Linux
> clients or already have them developed for release as soon as there is
> enough market to warrent them to do so.  If, however, they do not have a
> proprietary internet provider then getting them online is a simple thing
> using rp-pppoe or wvdial..  Quick and ultra simple.

We recommend independent ISPs.  We do not support AOL except to the
extent we might be able to (I mean, if there are some Linux clients
available).  If they're stuck on AOL, they probably won't be our
customer.
 
> > Furthermore, the moment someone sends them an attachment to view that
> > requires a MS plugin, or they go to visit a site requiring Quicktime or MS
> > plugin, they are out of luck.  Sure, there is cross-over plugin, but this
> > costs extra money.
> 
> This is going to be a problem.  This will require users learn something -
> which is normally something they do not like to do.

My intent would be to install any plugins we can.  If there are some
plugins that an end user can legally install but we can't, make a rock
solid rpm that works with the rock solid base install.  If there are
some plugins that cost money that we want to offer, we offer them as
options.  If that leaves them without some functionality, we tell them
that upfront.
 
---<snip>---

> > I personally think the best target would be small to medium businesses.
> > They are usually not looking for the variety a home user would be looking
> > for and may be more open to using OpenOffice or Gimp as opposed to the
> > pricier, compreable applications.
> 
> Definately..  With a little initiative you could possably sell them on a
> nice POS system.

I have no objection to selling to them, but I guess the way I'd go about
it is to build what I've described for the home customer, and offer that
to the business customer, with additional optional enhancements, either
custom or "cookie cutter" type.

> You can include me in there as well.

Thanks -- as I said to Dann, I think I need to find a very enthusiastic
core group to start.

Randy Kramer