Video ad winner does Linux no favor
Summary
Topics
The problem with asking amateur film makers to make ads is that you get amateur results, unfortunately. And so, like watching your father dance at a wedding, it just ends up being embarrassing. Leaving aside the number of entrants who were so enthusiastic about the competition that they forgot the rule limiting the videos to 60 seconds, you have to wonder how some of the entries are meant to persuade people to use Linux.
One video uses the amazing tactic of presenting Linux users as jargon-speaking geeks who can't talk to women. That'll get 'em flooding in, as will getting you to use Linux because Chicks dig it. Another, while starting off trying to give David Lynch a run for his money, ends up showing that Linux makes you dance in an embarrassing way.
We also have talking cows, Tux as a bluesman, car analogies and the amazing revelation that software updates tickle.
This four-and-a-half minute video gives the impression that Windows Vista has applications while all Linux has is fancy visual effects, and another doesn't improve matters.
Even the finalists don't elevate the standard much. The first leaves you with the impression that Linux just wants to be loved. The second emplores you to "Raise with us," whatever that means, while the next is very slick, but doesn't actually tell you what Linux is.
Our fourth finalist is like a late-night takeaway burger, in that it's cheesy and vomit-inducing, which you'd probably buy after visiting the "Linux Pub", which features no beer whatsoever, but does have a giant talking Penguin. In French.
The winner, finalist number three, was graphic designer Amitay Tweeto, who wins trip to Tokyo.
This article was originally posted on ZDNet UK.
Talkback Most Recent of 72 Talkback(s)
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Linux ads
n0neXn0ne13th Apr 2009 -
Exactly, those ads are much better
Unfortunately spoofing the Apple ads isn't very original. However I remember a really good one with flying penguins.
T1Oracle15th Apr 2009 -
Youe expected what?
Tell the truth that the apps are very limited compared to WIndows?
That users should learn to love a command line?
That you'll spend more time in news groups and forums trying to do simple things than actauly getting work done?
Story telling 101, first you have to have a story worth telling...
No_Ax_to_Grind13th Apr 2009 -
I loved the ads
They are way better than M$ or Apple's ads.
Only astute people can enjoy them fully.
Linux Geek13th Apr 2009 -
Uh huh, right
You consider yourself an astute person? Questionable given your screen name and spelling patterns. How many people have you killed this week?
jackbond13th Apr 2009 -
Astute people only
Yep, the same reduced, select band who possess the necessary intelligence, taste and judgement to appreciate the joys of Linux itself.
But I guess the idea of the ads was to, ummm, make that group a little bigger?
LordLiverpool14th Apr 2009 -
Azathothh14th Apr 2009 -
I'd Expect You To Properly Spell The Subject Line
It's YOU not YOUE...
But you'll get this deleted anyway, you whine every time I post against you.
itanalyst2@...13th Apr 2009 -
Nit-picking must be done from a secure base..
Complain about the spelling by all means, but don't forget the Grammar: "... to properly spell..." - it sounds like the witches got you.
Ray berry15th Apr 2009 -
What financial value do you gain from deception?
You are hilarious.
Were the free hors d'oeuvres you just sampled really that bad? Many people that can and will didn't participate in this event, and if you think you can do better, maybe you will participate next time.
What is really steaming some people is that many people that will in time contribute ..even for free and for fun.. because of how much value they get out of Linux .. haven't even heard of Linux today.
Some of the best software today is open source; arguably the top encyclopedia today (but certainly the most useful to many) is wikipedia; most supercomputers and a lot of the web run Linux or derivations of open source; etc; for good reasons.
Some of tomorrow's top ads will also be done in open collaboration by the savvy who will recognize (or already do) that the low pressure and low constraints of Linux, open source, and open collaboration available to anyone will in fact beat the alternatives many times.
>> That users should learn to love a command line?
Worse, you are likely purposely deceiving because you likely do know that not only is the command line hardly used by Linux users today but that the command line is an improved tool over the alternatives for use in a number of circumstances.
>> Tell the truth that the apps are very limited compared to WIndows?
"Very" limited? Say the truth. In fact, the preferred firefox experience has got Microsoft once again trying to improve internet explorer. Firefox is open source and Linux is the home of open source.
I'll say this. A Linux using amateur and a "nobody" led to the Windows professional "geniuses" getting into some trouble for under performance. http://linuxlock.blogspot.com/2009/04/linux-migration-in-process.html
We aren't there yet when it comes to multimedia and the desktop, IMO. There are still too many people on Windows that will become great contributors to Linux tomorrow but aren't contributing anything today. Linux still has small market share compared to Windows for the desktop. Eventually the network effect will move behind Linux because of the supreme value and capabilities Linux offers users. I laugh at the people that said a few years ago that, eg, gaming would never be a strong point of open source. They probably couldn't imagine or understand how events are and will unfold.
>> That you'll spend more time in news groups and forums trying to do simple things than actually getting work done?
It's amazing how many Windows users spend so much time in forums, but I think most people, Linux or Windows don't.
Again, you give the false impression that voluntary online collaboration is a negative. Most people like the idea that a number of problems that may crop up have free solutions online, but surely others will be paying Linux service providers to come to their house and resolve the problems. Today, they pay Windows service providers for just this.
[You are really confused if you think Windows is trouble free.]
>> Story telling 101, first you have to have a story worth telling...
Yeah but I get the impression you couldn't identify a good story if it bit you. Are you really this clueless about the value of Linux and open source? How many years will it take?
One day you'll probably think back and laugh about the folly of your current position.
Jose_X13th Apr 2009 -
Even IBM had problems
advertising Linux with their "little Boy Lost" style ads, and they are a large corporation.
It really did not convey much, if anything, about what Linux really is, so as first tries go by a group of amatures, this is to be expected.
GuidingLight13th Apr 2009 -
This is embarrassing
I feel guilty just for thinking about ridiculing these
ads and comparing them with the OS. So I won't.
honeymonster13th Apr 2009 -
It would be embarrassing if 300 millions dollars were spent on that
As it is there's no embarrassment.
InAction Man13th Apr 2009 -
Congratulations on managing expectations downwards
...like the politician whose party has just lost an election and claims that they lost it by less than expected.
If your standards are "we spent nothing, so we expect nothing", well I guess you got what you wanted.LordLiverpool14th Apr 2009 -
M$ spent 300 milion on a campaign and got CRAP
How humilliating is that?InAction Man14th Apr 2009
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