Is this report accurate? If so, what would be the way out? FN
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Linux-Based Desktops Fail to Excite the Market
By Swapna Khanna Delhi, January 31, 2003
LG's Linux-based 'My PC' hasn't been getting very encouraging results from the the metro market. But ditto has been the case with other vendors who launched Linux-based PCs.
Manikandan, deputy general manager, LG Electronics India said, "We have not been getting very encouraging response for our Linux-based 'My PC' in the metros, whereas the response has been a little better in the upcountry market.
"One reason could be because the upcountry market is more open to new things," he explained. "The second reason is obviously, the low awareness of Linux, and users' comfort level with other operating systems".
According to Kapil wadhwa, who is the director of Champion Computers, "We have been using Windows since the last 10-12 years. So how can you expect somebody to simply start using Linux overnight when it has no visibility at all?"
"In India, acceptability for Linux is still to come about and it will take some time before the end user is comfortable with it," he said.
Wadhwa said that it is only after educational institutes begin teaching Linux, that users will begin feeling comfortable with it.
"However, our technical staff tries to handle basic Linux queries from customers. But more has to be done to create some kind of visibility," he said.
Meanwhile, Esys Distribution, the company which launched the ePC kit, is planning to conduct training programs to educate end users.
G S Paul, CEO, Esys Distribution said, "Our channel partners will help us. They will supply us a list of buyers of Linux-based ePCs and we plan to organize a training program for them".
"A person is habituated to using a particular operating system. But if you show them value for using Linux, they will definitely buy it," said Paul.
"I believe some government sectors are beginning to train their employees in Linux. Also, a few educational institutions have begun to impart Linux knowledge. It will take some time before it gains some visibility and helps us push our Linux-based PCs in the market," said Manoj Kumar of Champion Computers.
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Is this report accurate? If so, what would be the way out? FN
Linux-Based Desktops Fail to Excite the Market
[snip]
Well Fred, it might sound very disheartening, but it's true. Especially in a country like India, where they can't even imagine a PC without windows, it'd take atleast ten more years for GNU/Linux to be in the Home desktops. People still think that GNU/Linux is a `geek-only' OS. No wonder, the attempt to sell branded PCs with GNU/Linux preinstalled hasn't paid off. It's because most of the people don't have any idea that GNU/Linux can be a commendable alternative to Windows. This preconceived notion can be cleared by introducing GNU/Linux into schools & colleges. People will get to know it as & when they use it. Most don't know that GNU/Linux has evolved by leaps & bounds in the recent past. All we need at the moment is to get people to use GNU/Linux once again.
B.Ghose
--------------------------------- Microsoft is not the answer. Microsoft is the question. No[or GNU/Linux] is the answer. ---------------------------------
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The GNU/Linuxer