On 6/24/05, Matthew Miller <mattdm@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote: > This is a whole different thing. :) How about "Get people interested in > trying Linux, *via* Fedora, because that's what we can do anything about?" > > I don't think this and more targetted marketing are necessarily exclusive. I'm pretty sure i didn't mean to imply my thoughts are mutually exclusive with taking aim at certain groups. I just want to make sure the message is thought provoking instead of encouraging impulse decisions. To sum up my concerns into a simple headlines. I want to avoid blurbs like: "Fedora Linux is great! Try it now!" and i would instead prefer more open ended tone: "Is Fedora Linux right for you? Find out now!" Not to nitpick the getfirefox.com example, but i don't think the tone of the opening paragraph is appropriate for a linux distribution. <quote> the wait is over. Firefox empowers you to browse faster, more safely and more efficiently than with any other browser. Join more than 64 million others and make the switch today — Firefox imports your Favorites, settings and other information, so you have nothing to lose. </quote> I don't think its appropriate to use the popularity of the distribution as a primary reason to encourage new users to use it. I don't think its appropriate to make bold claims as to fedora's ability to serve a new user better than other choices. The codeweaver's example is much better in terms of tone. But really.. if there were any other wine based product out there it could say nearly the same thing. There's nothing in what codeweaver's intro that even implies there are other choices in the space. I don't think thats good enough in terms of being upfront at the distribution level. We know there are other choices, we know those other choices might fit better for a particular person if the person takes the time to try out more than just fedora, and I think we need to be honest about that and make sure the tone of the site re-enforces the idea of informed choice as the ideal choice. openoffice.org's marketting pieces have some high points, certainly in terms of the formats and quality of their press material. The four page pdf and the flash intro are well done. But their peices still has a reliance of superlative language that i think is problematic when applied to the larger issue of linux distribution choice ubuntu's introduction on the other hand... is strikingly not about the specific feature of the distribution at all. http://www.ubuntulinux.org/ . The first few paragraphs are about the ideals and commitments of the development model. Its a well worded description of how the project objectives relate to user expectation. Here's what the page says about desktop users. "Ubuntu is suitable for both desktop and server use." Suitable... the distribution is suitable. No effort to promise the best experience..but a promise for a suitable one. That's an underpromise, and the power of low expectations at work. -jef -- Fedora-marketing-list mailing list Fedora-marketing-list@xxxxxxxxxx http://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/fedora-marketing-list
