[libreoffice-marketing] Re: LibreOffice with Windows on new computers: why not?

Le 2010-10-30 23:05, Graham Lauder a écrit :
> On Sunday 31 Oct 2010 14:24:08 Anthony Papillion wrote:
> > On 10/30/2010 7:54 PM, Michel Gagnon wrote:
> > <snip>
> >
> > > Which makes me wondering something. I know there is lots of Redmond
> > > money involved in it, but would it be possible to convince the major
> > > manufacturers to install the latest version of LibreOffice alongside the
> > > other software and crapware they include in their new computers? They
> > > typically "give" a working version of Microsoft Works (no time limit,
> > > but a limited software), as well as a trial version of Microsoft office
> > > (a very good software that won't work after 60 days). I am sure that an
> > > installation of LibreOffice (a very good software that will work all the
> > > time) alongside that would help a lot to penetrate the market.
> >
> > Hi Michael,
> >
> > I'm not sure this would be possible right now. Microsoft doesn't only
> > make it easy and "rational" for the OEM's to put MSO on their systems
> > but they actively campaign against having competing software on the
> > system.  I've even heard that Microsoft often has it as part of their
> > agreement with OEM's that they will not have pre-install competing
> > software. I don't know how prevalent it is but I was told this by
> > someone in the executive suite of at least one major OEM whom I trust.
> >
> > What I *could* see happening, and where I think OOo missed the boat, is
> > boxed sales. I still believe their is room for us on store shelves. For
> > example, I was at Walmart the other night and checked the software isle
> > out. There was Microsoft Office and that was it. I know there is one
> > other that Walmart carries that I can't remember the name of but it
> > doesn't hardly sell at all because of compatibility issues I've been told.
> >
> > I think LibO should work to get on store shelves. Keep the open source
> > ideal but use the money from boxed sales to fund the foundation and
> > future development. Definitely a HARD path to travel but one I think is
> > totally doable if we work hard enough and do a few other things.
>
> I agree completely with this, however what needs to happen is to make it
> profitable to distributors.  This is other leg of the type of business model
> that Ian is talking about.
>
>   A distributor wholesales the software with a support package.  This support
> package is backed up by helpdesk staff who have been through the INGOTs
> programme.  The distributor purchases the media from a Foundation approved
> supplier (OpenSLX do this for the OpenSUSE boxed set for Novell),  a portion
> of that wholesale price goes to the Foundation.  Included in the boxed set is
> a manual as well to add value, OOoAuthors "Getting Started Manuals" for
> instance then OOoAuthors could be funded as well.
>
> As soon as you assign a value as well as add value then the retailer can add
> margin and in one swoop you get rid of the biggest barrier to retail sales.
>
> Same thing applies to OEM, they sell a machine with LibO preinstalled with
> media and Manual.  On a DVD you lose the download size issue, so clipart
> templates, application manuals and extensions could be made available as well,
> packaged with a good installer with various platform versions on board and
> translations to suit local markets.  That has value and he can sell to suit.
> Either bare-bones download install, (no support other than the normal and no
> extras)  or the DVD with extras at a fair price.
>
> People will ask "So if we're paying for it, what's the difference to MSO", the
> answer:
>
> "Free upgrades forever"

Re: retail sales.

However, we do have to be careful not to alienate users who will later 
find out that the distro is a free download. They would need some kind 
of great value for their money .. as you said support package; clipart; 
manual etc. This would obviously require creating a worldwide helpdesk 
system. I am not quite sure if this would satisfy this user who would 
have paid at the retail level even with all of the perks.

If you consider the amount of dollars that TDF/LibO would have provide 
worldwide to print manuals and press DVD's and this as often as the 
major update to the distro, it may be worthwhile instead to mount more 
creative style campaigns such as paying OEM's to print the TDF/LibO logo 
with short offer of the download of the free software; a sticker banner 
that users could stick on their brand new box with the LibO site address 
and download instructions; something that looks like an on-line dating 
service "Call me and we can get together over a nice cup of LibO" etc. 
This may be a better way or an additional way of creating user and brand 
awareness.

Marc


--
E-mail to marketing+help@libreoffice.org for instructions on how to unsubscribe
List archives are available at http://www.libreoffice.org/lists/marketing/
All messages you send to this list will be publicly archived and cannot be deleted