Yes… I want to run my version of the “Ubuntu Girlfriend Experiment“…

For clueless people…. Ubuntu is an operating system (OS) like Windows which is spawned from Linux (another operating system like Windows). Linux is a very very geeky OS. Very hard (almost impossible) for non-techies to use, leave alone my mom. Ubuntu is an uncharateristic try from the usually geeky open-source community (who have mostly donned a don’t care attitude towards non-techies) to bring the OS to common (wo)men… aka my MOM.

The idea took shape when a friend of mine showed Ubuntu to her parents and they frowned and wanted to go back to Windows. A disheartened soul, she put this news up on Facebook, which (un)fortunately, I picked up :) . I started asking her a question:

Question : Why do they not like Ubuntu?

Answer :  Because its not Windows!!!

Then I started thinking. This is the case of someone being used to a product and asking him/her to switch to another. A common business phenomenon. So now the question becomes, how can you make them agree to switch. Here are some ways that popped up in my mind:

  • List all the BAD aspects of Windows (like there are more viruses on Windows than on Linux) and threaten them to switch.

  • List 10 uber-cool things about Ubuntu (that a non-techie will love) and excite them to switch.

  • Eliminate their fear of change by relating the Ubuntu experience to what they are used to (Windows) and also tell them those awesome stuff that Ubuntu gives over and above Windows.

But then, my experience with such conditions is that there will be resistance; inertia to be exact. People WILL counter with arguments like:

  • Why should I switch? I’m happy with Windows…

  • What’s so special about Ubuntu?

  • This is NOT what I am used to… Why should I learn to do the same task in a new way?

But I believe, like the case of iPhone Vs Others, if the paradigm is compelling, people WILL move. So I have decided to run Ubuntu Mom Experiment, my version of the”Ubuntu Girlfriend Experiment“… But this time with a wide range of subjects ranging from:

  • Mom & Dad types who use a computer for Internet + Chat + Video
  • Engineering Students who have always been on WIN & MAC.
  • Doctors and other Professionals
  • IT & Computer Professionals who have always preferred WIN & MAC

Have to design a usability and adaptability study for them and see their reaction. It will be fun…. What do you think?