Boycott Computer Depo[t]

[Oren Beck]

Jason Clinton wrote:

> Today, at approximately 2:25 PM I was bored as I was listening to the 
> Computer Depo Computer Hour show on AM 980 so I called in to see what 
> they would say about Linux. In response to my prodding, they actually 
> made the claim on the air that Linux is less secure than Windows because 
> it's open source. This is the icing on the cake for what has been a 
> little tirade of Dale's on what is a seemingly mindless campaign to 
> extol the virtues of Microsoft to the radio audience. Several weeks ago 
> the show was dedicated to viruses and spy ware and was essentially a 
> thinly veiled attempt at deflecting blame from Microsoft to "thats just 
> the way it is with evil people in the world, and such."
> 
> So, this isn't going to get any more organized than this but I'm going 
> to tell everyone I give computer advice to to not shop at Computer Depo 
> until such a time as they respond to this boycott appropriately or put 
> someone on the air that has a clue.
> 
> Join in the boycott if you feel so inclined, or move along if not...
> 
Speaking from several different viewpoints I have to comment on this 
case you invoke .
Organized protest is credible based on it's potential impact . 
Unorganized stands slim chance .
My wife owns a very dependent on public perception business .Word of 
mouth makes or breaks us !
Our saying is that the customer is always right -in public, in private 
it may be different .
Then again some folks are contemptuous of the public and their business 
conduct reflects it .

IF what I suggest below fails you will have my participation and public 
support of not only a boycott but pressure on the radio station to offer 
Linux and Open Source itself " Equal Rebuttal time "
Let's not become our enemy in response to their being thuggish louts .
We should in fairness offer them a  discreet chance to redeem themselves 
by correction .
Knowing how slim the chance of that is let's be better than our 
opponents and be kind .

I have ZERO tolerance for Profiting from FUD and blaming ignorance of 
others but that could  become   OUR sin .
There are 2 sorts of ignorance - never having been informed and 
willfully refusing to learn . One correctable , One not.
IF we profit from Linux being the superior instrument we profit honestly 
and fairly . See MS and SCO for the other path.

Being hostile is the likely response to a perceived threat .WE perceive 
their FUD to be a threat as they will perceive your boycott as a threat 
 So we cost them a handful of customers . THEY cost the public all the 
consequences of misinformations . Raises the stakes a bit if we think it 
thru . Truth should slay lies if applied properly .

DO feel justified about a wrong needing correction .  Fail either way - 
And none profit at the end of the day .  All Lose .
Attempt  education first- perhaps approach the radio station with a 
Linux presentation as opposition viewpoint citing an "election year " 
motif if discourse with the store in question fails .Want to invite the 
store management to a KCLUG meeting and we can re-educate them :>

I sincerely appreciate any and all attempts to raise the bar of conduct 
for Information Systems people .
We Linux Zealots are ambassadors for something larger than any of us or 
our regional LUG's  .
IF this is really that large of an issue should we not go up the tree 
and invoke a bigger stick ?
Olive branches first but what of reporting this to the FSF or if a 
really heavy weight is deserved let ESR at them .
Uh- do you really think the offense deserves THAT ?

As I said above - let's work a bit at remediation that can be a mutual 
win then if that fails we unleash the Wrath of Penguins and no mercy be 
upon their heads .

Oren Beck
www.campdownunder.com

"In loyalty to their kind -they cannot tolerate our minds -in loyalty to 
our kind- we cannot tolerate their obstructions "