Invisible force Destroying the Status Quo

Wanna killer laptop? Chances are it's yours. We now return you to the regularly scheduled rant.

"I get the feeling that when more people find out how easy using their computer really is, they will not only be relieved, they will be angry as well. Hour many hours have we wasted fighting this nonesense?"

Dan Fields has an interesting life. He is a licensed commercial pilot and is currently a standby Captain for a major airline, but to earn his daily bread, Dan works as a Petrochemical Engineer. He's the only person I know that has been in the Antarctic and Belize in the same week. Now residing in Atlanta, Dan still keeps in touch from time to time.

He's also responsible for the above quote. While we're looking at quotes, let's look at a few more from the same source:

..."The main reason why I love Linux so much is that I don't have to worry about little bugs and viruses getting in my computer and crashing it! This has happened to me over and over in the past with Windows. I will never go back to Windows ever again."

"Well, this begins month two without having to reboot our computer and my kids have went download-crazy. The fact that they can play their beloved games and not ruin our setup like it used to happen is not only a relief, it has saved us countless hours of reformating and reinstalling Windows"...

"My name is Jack Mallory and I have a business which relies upon computers to accomplish our mission. For years, I have dreaded the annual visit of our Microsoft Rep. Every time he walks through our door he costs us more money. Thanks to you people, I was able to tell him that we would no longer be needing his services"...

Dan contacted us a couple of years ago with a problem. His computer was showing a blue screen with cryptic numbers and symbols. He had been fighting this thing for a week. If he rebooted enough, eventually he would get into his system and go to work but this time it wasn't letting him in. He had critical reports to email and was under a severe time gun. I took a few minutes to explain to him his options and told him that we could get him up and running with a live CD long enough for him to send his email. He invited us to come by and get him fixed up.

Once the CD booted and I showed him the browser, he was off and running. I sat in the chair opposite his desk and watched him as he worked. He logged into his office server, retrieved the data and used his newly-opened Gmail account to fire off the critical information. He turned from the screen and asked me if he could keep this program on his computer.

I 'splained to Dan that it wasn't on his computer and what he was using was an operating system on a disk. I pulled my chair up next to his and started navigating my way through the menus and options. I even showed him the files on his windows machine and pulled up All Along The Watchtowers" for him to listen to. All the time, he said nothing...he just watched....and listened

By the time I left, Dan Fields was a Linux User. There are no reports, print-outs or statistics to show it but Mr. fields doesn't use Windows anymore. Not at home, not at the office and not on his laptop. Those are three licensing fees that Microsoft will never see again.

That's why I simply laughed at the recent story of Linux reaching 1% of the market.

I spent a good part of my Sunday calling people that now use Linux, either through our HeliOS Project or via HeliOS Solutions. We do this on a regular basis anyway. It's good to track how many people are happy with their systems, find out what concerns or problems they are having or just visit for a bit and let them know you care enough to call.

39 phone calls

31 answers

100 percent retention.

Do the Powers That Be know these people? Are they ever included in any statistical data pertaining to Computer usage? Not according to any of them. In my conversations, I asked all 31 of them if they had been surveyed or questioned about their computer use.

Not a one, although a few of them were asked about their political opinions and the type of car they drive. Those folks come by all the time to gather information.

So OK...we're one small organization doing some modest work in Linux and Free Software advocacy. How many people across the globe are doing the same thing? It is my belief that you can take that one percent figure and slam dunk it into the circular file next to your desk.

Folks, People are tired of fighting with their computers. We can show you example after example of individuals who simply do not use Windows anymore...for anything. A recent article by Carla Schroeder drew the ire of a particular Windows sycophant and spent what had to be hours in defending his position...

Which is odd given the fact that he was the first to attack hers.

Here's the bottom line pal. People across the globe are weary of doing the Windows Shuffle. Patches, updates, virus definition downloads, anti-virus apps that clog and defile their registries. While many have discovered that Linux is more than suitable for more complex tasks, they are finding that they don't have to pay in time and money to do the few things they do on a computer.

Besides...If you read the various EULA's from Microsoft and still find comfort in using Windows, then there is not much that can be done for you. Everything else aside...if you make a conscious decision to stay with Windows after reading their EULA, there's a good chance that you are used to making compromises in your life in order to slide by the easiest way possible. And yes, I know dozens of people that have to use it at work, but when they get home, they would no sooner use Windows on their personal computers than they would juggle roaring chainsaws.

Dan Fields has read that EULA...as have many of our clients. The mildest reaction has been disgust.

As an aside and for the record, I do not read "popular Windows or Mac blogs". The sound of so many chains rattling becomes distracting after a while.

So it seems that the uncounted are the ones that will destroy the status quo, millions of them now...nameless, faceless computer users who quietly cut their chains and walked away from servitude.

Hey Redmond...count that.

All Righty Then