Advice to keep person from switching back to XP?

[SunWorks]

Hello,
Just got an email tonight from a customer saying:

I'd like Linux removed from our computer, just personal preference.

Background:

• These people *often* geot into massive trouble with clicking on any and every link and infecting their computer when on XP. XP was a nightmare which is how I got them to switch.
• They've been on ***** Linux for well over a year, I was not aware of any problems.
• They are not on MINT, but a distro that is getting long in the tooth *and* has some issues, no doubt. I put it on their machine, but in the last year (or longer) have switched my main distro to Mint and am very pleased. Am also using it as the main distro for others.
• These people are VERY hesitant to any sort of change.
• They are not computer adept at all.
• They use incredibly simple apps, browser, office suite, photos from the camera and affiliated functions.

Number one, I understand that I must keep them happy.
I also understand I will do what they want... after all, they are paying the bill.
However... I was waiting to switch from the previous flavour of Linux to Mint untilo there were enough questions/problems to make it worthwhile... 'why fix it if it's not brokend?"

But they are not even aware of the benefits of Mint and I'd LOVE to get them to try it for one month before actually going backwards to XP.

Any advice/hints to get them to give Mint a try? I'm willing to spend my time (w/o charge) to do the switch if they don't like Mint and to keep them away from Windoze mischief.

THANK YOU!
Clinton

[monkeyboy]

You said it all "I understand that I must keep them happy" So give them what they want and let them pay you for some of the associated cost of running Windows. Never let advocacy get in the way of business.

[cudayne]

Well I know your feeling I rebuild used computers i buy in thrift shops an off other people an sell them too people who cant afford new computers. What I do is i have a few Linux distros all mint ones now (wish mint would put out a dvd with all the desktop choices like suse an fedora does would save a lot of cd's ).

I show them the differences between distributions an explain the PRO/CON of Linux an do NOT forget the cons we all like Linux but there are some cons when it comes too software people buy or may want too buy.

Then if they still insist on windows which some will do lay it out OK those OS are free please contribute a donation if you choose them.

Unfortunately windows is NOT free. It will cost 150$$ for the operating system 30$$ for anti-virus software. An my hourly fee when your windows gets so corrupt its unusable.

Most of the time unless they have there own windows an anti-virus software the cost usually does it.

Though from what you say i would talk too them about what exactly there version of Linux isn't doing for them why they want windows. I would make a safe bet its some sort of software or Internet thing that an install of mint will fix. especially if there not big into games. Until I found mint the biggest complaint i had was facebook an yahoo games just didnt work right in ubuntu.

[DataMan]

Another perspective....

Not everyone has the right assets to use and appreciate Linux as their everyday operating system.

If you have communicated the benefits to them and provided the adequate training on the ops use, you have done all (and more) than what is expected.

View the migration back to Windows and the support you will be providing as an income opportunity. Their choice, their payment to you when things go wrong. Use your new found capital as a donation to Mint (it'll go a long way).

=DataMan

[LarryP]

Dataman and cudayne have great points, what you may do when you talk to them is find out exactly why they want to switch back if it is something that may be corrected by switching to mint offer it with the enticements you mentioned . Then if they still want xp let them know the costs of switching back. In many ways theymay be better with a verion of linux that works for them but if they are that unhappy with it windows may be best for them. Look at it this way you did get them to use linux a year before asking to switch it may not take much frustration with windows to get them back in linux.

[DrHu]

They are probably being enticed by the win7 advertising, I am a PC, and it was my decision

If your customers are that uninformed about technology, and do simply use some simple applications although an office suite isn't simple, but lets call it simple needs: they don't need gaming, streaming videos or much in the way of Internet activity

You can try, and, of course with a better Linux distribution such as Mint, their experience, since they already have used Linux might be enough to convince them to stay the course

But if it looks like you are getting resistance, you'll have to give up and let them use windows again
--at least you had them hooked in for 1 year

[OldManHook]

Why Do You Want To Stop Them--If They Want to Use Windows So Be It You have done what you can Linux is about freedom It also their right to use Windows
At my shop All XP installs is as is where is, Any software Problems is charged at std. costs--Linux Mint & PCLinuxOS (Better Dial-Up Support) gets Free hand holding
Also any Windows must have a Microsoft COA--No Key-Gens,No Patches--After 22Oct10--I will only do 7 and Vista Installs,
Those of us who use linux and sell/ work on computers for income have to walk that thin line between what we know is better and what the cust. want,in the end while not always right --i defer to the Cust.

[DrHu]

Why Do You Want To Stop Them--If They Want to Use Windows So Be It You have done what you can Linux is about freedom It also their right to use Windows :)

.. It also their right to use Windows
Of course, but we must all have our own preferences (bias)
--especially if we think we are right and have a better option. Nevertheless, in business the customer is usually right, unless they can be persuaded otherwise

Linux could be about freedom, but that usually means freedom from..
--not complete freedom of choice, as that doesn't really exist, even within Linux distributions: the developers constrain some choices, and there isn't always anything that can be done about that

Best example, is probably desktop choice
Kde, Gnome, Xfce, Lxde etc etc..
--although other application decisions also exist: such as package manager options

[kidflash]

Hello,
Just got an email tonight from a customer saying:

I'd like Linux removed from our computer, just personal preference.

Background:

• These people *often* geot into massive trouble with clicking on any and every link and infecting their computer when on XP. XP was a nightmare which is how I got them to switch.
• They've been on ***** Linux for well over a year, I was not aware of any problems.
• They are not on MINT, but a distro that is getting long in the tooth *and* has some issues, no doubt. I put it on their machine, but in the last year (or longer) have switched my main distro to Mint and am very pleased. Am also using it as the main distro for others.
• These people are VERY hesitant to any sort of change.
• They are not computer adept at all.
• They use incredibly simple apps, browser, office suite, photos from the camera and affiliated functions.

Number one, I understand that I must keep them happy.
I also understand I will do what they want... after all, they are paying the bill.
However... I was waiting to switch from the previous flavour of Linux to Mint untilo there were enough questions/problems to make it worthwhile... 'why fix it if it's not brokend?"

But they are not even aware of the benefits of Mint and I'd LOVE to get them to try it for one month before actually going backwards to XP.

Any advice/hints to get them to give Mint a try? I'm willing to spend my time (w/o charge) to do the switch if they don't like Mint and to keep them away from Windoze mischief.

THANK YOU!
Clinton

you could always sit them down and show them a computer with Linux Mint end explain the benefits of the OS. If they want windows then just prepare them with the updating of the computer & virus protection updates. They must be prepared to spend more time keeping there pc in working order.

[Robin]

LOAN them a 'puter with Linux Mint on it "to use while theirs is in the shop." That way they can see what they'll miss when they get their Windmills machine back (and pay all the big bucks).

It may be that there's a new person or new interest influencing their decision, too. A grandkid or neighbor who wants to be able to play games on it; the fact that they can't just go to Wal-Mart and buy some computer app on a CD and just use it. For whatever reason, it's their 'puter and their right. But if there is some new person or new interest influencing their decision, see if you can find out what it is and address it.

Windows free,
Robin

[paulo.delavega]

If you're willing to make the change w/o charges, why not ask them to try Mint for a week or so?

If they really don't like it, you can install XP back, but they should at least try...

Mint and Ubuntu convinced me to never again spend my money and time with Windows, maybe it'll work with them too

[Lantesh]

Ok so you have had this customer on Linux for a year, and they want to go back to Windows now. You gave it a shot, and they have now changed their minds. Give them their beloved Windows back. After all you are in business to make money, so this will really be a win for all parties involved. Your customer gets his/her operating system of choice, and you get a better source of future income for returning maintenance service. You can't convert everyone to Linux. That would dry up your revenue source, lol.

[grey1960envoy]

I agree with what has been stated and I feel that if the customer has used Linux for a year and suddenly decided to go back to windoze so be it.It is not your overall decision to make ,mind you if all else fails (like we know it will )you will indeed have a loyal customer in them rather than losing them to one of your competitors!

[CaptHilts]

to the original poster:

As for as suggestions go:

doesn't have to be a windows OR linux *distro* choice - I'd go for a "give em all" and let them work with both OSs side by side for a while. Even if they are casual users who wouldn't need both, sometimes just having the thought stored somewhere in the back of your mind that u have it all can be very appeasing.

I'd suggest u install Linux as the main OS and Windows in Virtualbox (+ guest additions for fullscreen and USB support) and then u show them how to use different workspaces so they can switch in a second from OS to OS (saw a lot of people impressed with that; and of course others who don't see the point because they wouldn't need it).

and as far as "what comes after suggestions" goes:

it's all about how u present the different options that exist and "sell" the idea. Just bear in mind the moment u'd like to "help" other people to get into something different for idealistic/ideological reasons rather than practical/pragmatic ones, u should probably let them figure out for themselves what they're gonna do by the end of the day - even if that means they're gonna screw up their systems with viruses and other stuff. Plus I don't think people should switch from Windows to GNU/Linux if they just wanna escape the problem - in fact I don't see any point in switching from one OS to another simply because one's too lazy to learn a few basics in order to protect themselves as good as possible. Only then a switch would make sense because one can use the things they've learned in a more secure environment to double its effectiveness. This should - in my opinion - differentiate the casual GNU/Linux user from the casual Mac user

[BopNiblets]

Put Mint on it but skin it like XP (there's a few scripts that do this I'm sure) and maybe they won't notice?

If they're not very computer adept as you say, then it's part of your job to give them security.
You could tell them you're trying to save them money by not having to pay you to fix the computer that they break all the time with viruses etc!

Or put XP back on it but lock them out of the Admin account, that'll learn em.

[Lantesh]

Put Mint on it but skin it like XP (there's a few scripts that do this I'm sure) and maybe they won't notice?

If they're not very computer adept as you say, then it's part of your job to give them security.
You could tell them you're trying to save them money by not having to pay you to fix the computer that they break all the time with viruses etc!

Or put XP back on it but lock them out of the Admin account, that'll learn em.

I'm sorry but this is terrible advise. It might be fine for the original poster's father, or "insert some random relative or friend," but this is a paying customer. When a customer is handing over his/her hard earned cash you give that customer what he/she wants. Offering alternatives is one thing, but blatantly disregarding their wishes and switching out a product is a sure fire way to ruin one's business.

[willie42]

I deal with Customers very much like you do. All you can do is go with their wishes and if they need consulting then advise them on the Linux Solution. I normally tell about all the money they can save and then after they spend money on:

Virus Protection
MS Office
and the list goes on.

then they can make the choice.

[kidflash]

Why Do You Want To Stop Them--If They Want to Use Windows So Be It You have done what you can Linux is about freedom It also their right to use Windows
At my shop All XP installs is as is where is, Any software Problems is charged at std. costs--Linux Mint & PCLinuxOS (Better Dial-Up Support) gets Free hand holding
Also any Windows must have a Microsoft COA--No Key-Gens,No Patches--After 22Oct10--I will only do 7 and Vista Installs,
Those of us who use linux and sell/ work on computers for income have to walk that thin line between what we know is better and what the cust. want,in the end while not always right --i defer to the Cust.

great point. let them use what they want.
some people are afraid to change