[aclug-L] Re: linux friendly businesses

[Tom Hull <thull@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I like this. Of course, sooner or later we'd wind up stickering everything
in their store. We might want to limit it to something like "Linux Choice",
based on performance, value, ease of install/configure/use, citizenship,
etc.

A fancier idea would be to put together a kiosk.

Jonathan Hall wrote:
> 
> An idea I've had, and think have mentioned at an ACLUG meeting before...
> Would be for ACLUG to make up some "Compatible with Linux"
> stickers/tags/signs.  We could then visit area computer resellers
> (CompUSA, Best Buy, NCR, etc), and ask if we could display the tag beside
> the hardware items they sell that are Linux compatible.  In exchange for
> letting us put the sign there, we list their organization on our web site
> as a place that is known to sell Linux-compatible computer hardware.
> 
> We could make up signs to put on sound cards, modems, etc, that are known
> to work in Linux.  The little signs would somehow designate ACLUG as the
> certifying entity, and provide our web page URL or something.  Would
> provide the businesses with some free advertisement, as well as provide
> our group with some free advertisement, as well as provide a service to
> the Linux community as people shop for new hardware.
> 
> On Mon, 27 Sep 1999, phrostie wrote:
> 
> > i like the idea, but it assumes that they care.
> > if they cared to start, then their names would spread by word of mouth.
> >
> > i would recommend any linux friendly business that i discovered.
> > i have a hard time finding customer friendly businesses.
> >
> > let me know if you find any
> >
> > phrostie
> >
> >
> > Tom Hull wrote:
> >
> > > When I asked my modem question a while back, my less explicit question
> > > was which (if any) Wichita-area computer stores/businesses are most
> > > knowledgeable and supportive of Linux? I probably hit a dozen stores,
> > > found lots of people who had a vague idea of what Linux is, but didn't
> > > find anyone who could/would help me. As more people become interested
> > > in Linux, it becomes more and more important to get local businesses
> > > into supporting, promoting and selling Linux.
> > >
> > > It occurs to me that one approach to promoting Linux would be to set
> > > up some sort of certification program, where a group like ACLUG would
> > > set out a minimal set of standards, and companies that qualify could
> > > then display some sort of plaque which says the store/business is
> > > "ACLUG-Certified Linux Friendly". The ACLUG web site would then also
> > > have a listing of ACLUG-Certified businesses, so the whole thing
> > > works as a co-promotion. (There could be multiple levels, possibly
> > > including an "ACLUG-Certified Linux Fanatic" for MSFT-free outfits.)
> > >
> > > Comments?

-- 
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 * Tom Hull -- mailto:thull@xxxxxxxxxxx or thull@xxxxxxxxxx
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