How do you promote Mint?

[_h_]

How do you, as a Mint user, promote the OS you use?

I have links in my signature (and some forums I use the Linux Mint User userbar), and also link to the main LM site and LM Blog on my blog and even blogged about Linux Mint.

[Kendall]

I get a lot of questions about Mint from people who read my Twitter. I also get a good many questions from some of the tech circles around Asheville. I don't "push" Mint per se, but if someone shows interest or is considering a Windows alternative then I waste no time giving them a brief synopsis.

[BMasiak]

Since I installed it for the first time about a month ago, I've installed it on 1 airman's and 2 soldiers' laptops. I'm at a really undeveloped forward operating base in Afghanistan, with no real dependable internet connectivity. When their windblows takes a crap, they have 2 choices: Try LinuxMint, or have a big paper weight

So far, 3 out of 3 satisfied new linux owners.

[GrayWizardLinux]

I tell people about it when I can - but i never slam it in their face. Generally I just mention it if they seem to be wondering. If not - then less than a mention. Many times - I say nothing. If they are curious, i point them on their way. I never force or go all stuff on them. Just not cool. Turns them off more than it turns them on.

[tower]

BMasiak, I am glad to hear of your success!
(You seemed to have found the perfect cold turkey treatment for Windows users! )

[Roin]

Personally I try to show how cool and awersome Mint is and how cool IceWM can be without eating up much recourses *g*.
I also sometimes give away Linux Mint LiveCD to interested fellow students for free (if I can, otherwise I just ask them for a raw CD and take away the pain to burn it from them lolz).
Sadly I didnt have much success until now, oh well I keep on trying

Greets,
Roin

[Aging Technogeek]

I just use it and let others see what it can do and how it looks. Three converts in the last month without any active selling. If they see Mint in action, it sells itself.

[GrayWizardLinux]

I agree John.

[vrkalak]

Here's a story about my experience with buying more RAM, for my old laptop, a couple weeks ago:

I went to the local computer store (not a national chain-store) but they buy and sell computers and parts.
It was busy, as usual, for a Saturday afternoon. All the workers were busy helping customers, I soon spied the store owner standing near the front of the store, answering questions, from both customers and workers.

I walked up and ask him about getting more RAM for my old Gateway laptop. (it only has 195 Mb of RAM)
Would it be worth it to install more RAM or just get a new computer?
He explained that many of the older computers/laptops could only be upgraded so far. It might not be worth it to buy/add RAM.
He then asked what year and make the laptop was. I told him.

He then asked, "Which Windows Operating System do you have? Windows 95, 2000 or XP?"
I told him that, "I don't have any Windows Operating System on the computer, at the moment," I saw a faint smile cross his lips.

"My laptop is running Linux. LinuxMint, to be exact."

He didn't say anything. He just walked away. And, left me standing there. I had to laugh.

The store owner, either knew about LinuxMint ... didn't know anything about Linux ... either way, knew that he wasn't going to make a sell.


Later, when talking to a salesman, he told me that the IT people when clearing/repairing computers ... use LinuxMint, as a LiveCD, for system recovery.
But, that they are not 'allowed' to install Linux on any of the computers.

[DrHu]

When people are looking over computer books - mostly windows or Apple or some applications and then a smattering of Linux books, which is where I am looking - and complaining or asking about windows. I answer them about windows, but I also mention Linux is an option and leave it that, if they don't inquire further.

In big box computer stores I do the same.
--and have tried to get relatives to use Linux, but they are a resistant bunch, like most people they use what they are already given, when buying a new notebook etc..

The score with the relatives so far has been 1 out of 5 (20%)
--maybe that is better than the Linux percentage in the market, but it just demonstrates the problem in changing people's perceptions..

[900i]

Only ever had 1 convert to Mint as I have mentioned before, in my experience nobody seems to be interested beyond the initial curiosity as the computers they buy come pre installed with Windows and they are quite happy to use that and moan when they don't work. They also know not to ask me when the things don't work, I have been on Linux long enough not to know or care how windows PC's work or not as the case may be.

[GrayWizardLinux]

900i - You are the one that turned me on to Mint!!!!

[1GN4Z]

I promote Mint:

I've two big vinyls on the front doors of my (black) car. Looks really great ... the green on the black. The URL (linuxmint.com) is on the right side of this vinyls. So everyone who is interested can check out the website.

I've a Linux beer mug and a Linux Mint T-Shirt.
Above all the beer mug is getting me often asked by people: "Why do you have penguin on your mug?"

Edit:
If you are not successfull try this:

If anyone asks you if you can search for a good new PC for him, you go to a onlineshop which sells barebone with no OS installed as default. Now you print this offer with the "normal" price. Than you print it with the "normal price" + windows price + office price. Than you say: If you think this is barefaced too, there would be another solution....

This ist the moment when you tell him about Mint!

75% success in my case

[xxxxiangxxxx]

I've only had one convert so far: my uncle. His windows was infested with Anti-virus alarms (the ones that slow down computers more than the virus itself), updating messages, and even Windows Genuine notifications. First, I spent two afternoons cleaning it. On the third day, I asked for permission to install Mint on it. It only took 15 min., and he was very satisfied at the simplicity and stability.

Other than that, it was all disappointing. All my friends have either of the two reactions:
1. "What's that?"
2. "Linux is for computer geniuses"

But worse of all was to have them trying Linux. Many computers don't boot up on CD on default, and it is painstakingly hard to teach them to change the boot sequence on their desktops at home.

People rather have a slower computer than to spend few minutes installing something they are not familiar with.

[germanix]

I am a teacher/trainer at a technical training centre in Germany. We provide a number of courses for grown-ups like computer, business management and nursing courses. I do a lot of presentations with my laptop and a beamer. Whenever I start my laptop I make sure the beamer is on so that all can see my desktop projected on the screen. They all notice that this cannot be windows and ask about it. I use this opportunity to show off and explain Linux Mint to the whole class. I always have a couple of CD´S with Mint on with me and distribute those to all who are interested. We have new courses starting all the time so I am able to promote Mint to a large number of students in this way. Once the students have seen it in action and had it explained to them they all try it out and some stay with it. Mint is not very well known here in Germany but I am working on changing that. I have also tried to get the college to change over to Linux but they make part of their money teaching MS Windows so it is a hard sell. As more and more companies change to Linux it may become easier in the future.
On of the main problems is that most of the Distro`s websites are in english and so are most of the forums which creates a problem for a lot of people in this country as not all are that good in english especially when it comes to technical english. They try Linux but when they run into problems they find it somewhat difficult to get help on the forums and then give up in dismay to return to Windows. Here more should be done to provide support in different languages.

[FedoraRefugee]

How do you, as a Mint user, promote the OS you use?

I am a cat burglar by trade, so what I do is when I am "on the job" I take a Mint CD with me. I will always take a few moments to delete whatever OS is on my "customer's" computer and install Mint! I always leave their computers and laptops for them, I make enough in other goods to justify this. Though I have snatched a few ipads now. They are quite groovy...Anyway, 'round these parts they are now calling me the Linux Mint bandit! I am sure that I have converted many folks by now, and look at it this way, now that they do not need to replace their computers and Windows they can more easily recover their losses from all the rest that I take!

[sahilshinesalways]

Many will say hard,Many will say crazy
I say u are nuts,Its damn easy....


This is what i say about MInt[or linux]

well my story start from home it self...

my bro is a hardcore gamer loves fancy effect->3d aero,transparency etc.when i showed him the compiz effect in linux he was stunned!!!he cudnt utter a word..no virus problem,no computer slowdown,no defrg,regisrty maintanance needed ,he was amused.he bowld me when he asked me "how to install n play assasin's creed?' he was not satisfied with world of goo,osmos or glest.so i sheeled some buck n installed cedega.though games ran slow,but i played igi,age of empires and nfs hp.he aws not dat satiesfied but said ok,i wana install.now he uses linux for all practical purpose n windows for games.most importantly,he is immencely enjoying linux



my mom and dad both didnt know to use computer untill few months ago,so i desided to make them learn,
in windows almost every other apps has controls & menus happazardly distributed.it was confusing for a novice.so i started to make them learn the computer basics from linux mint.a default installl have enuf apps,codecs to satisfy them.and they found it quite easy.when i started taughting them in windows they were confused!!dey cudnt cope up and said the former[mint8]was easier!!!

my uncle is businessmen and all he needs a gud virusfree and maintanace free system.he aws tired of anti vrus and slow laptop response.i gave him the mint soln and he is very happy,he have not wasted a penny over 1yr in the name of maintanance.he is using mint 7.

similarly i converted 11 frnz from windows to mint user [and 7 windows user to sabayon user,dey dnt have internet and have gfx card so...]

[myspacecommassergio]

i just promote it by telling people I think it's cool and if I'm telling them on the internet I send them videos like of youtube users reviewing mint or of the cube and most people think compiz is cool and that draws them in ALOT. Especially for new mint users who already heard of mint but didn't know about compiz once i enabled it they were like so in love with the cube effect(skydome). So was I. It's one of the Best effects in linux. That and the rainbow color thingy. O.o

[Statham]

I am a Applications consultant (Windows based) so its fantastic when people ask my recommendations and I say Linux Mint.

[AlbertP]

I once installed Linux at my teacher of French, but her computer consisted of all available Linux-incompatible hardware combined in 1 case. And, her accounting program did not have a Linux version and Wine was not able to run this (Microsoft .NET) program (something about 'void not found', .NET calling an undocumented function). As her Vista did not work as it should (harddisk problems), I have given her an old 2002 computer with XP, which had got some slow but could run the accounting program without problem. She still wants to switch to Linux, this computer supports it 100% as far as I know, but does not want to switch to another accounting program...

By the way, I have recommended Linux to 2 people that are fed up with Windows. I might install Linux at one of them, the other one is a bit xenophobic...