Starting a Ubuntu Linux business

[sebzzz]

Hi,

As you can read in my introduction, I currently want to start my own business trying to promote Ubuntu Linux by going to homes installing Ubuntu Linux and give some training on it to people sick of Windows (like a was before I found Linux). I think there is room for that in my region because Linux is mostly unknown in here for a reason I can't explain.

I quit my job in a best buy 2 weeks ago to focus my mind on this new business and I'm really exited.

Now, I know that I will probably face some shortcomings with a business like that like arriving at a home and having to do backups for hours, telling a costumer I wont be able to do the installation after finding a specific software of hardware he uses that is not supported and maybe receiving a lot of calls after the job for all types of questions about how things work.

So I'm writing this to get some advices about how to do this business in a way to eliminate most of these shortcomings. I also have to find a way to advertise at a low cost for now and in a way that would remove the idea that people have that Linux is complicated and incompatible with their stuff.

Thanks a lot!

[Adam]

I've never been able to get a non-technical person to understand Linux... It seems like it is something that a person has to be introduced to slowly, simply because many of the tools are more powerful and less forgiving than the ones created for Windows.

If you can pull it off, though, more power to you. This world needs more Linux users. Perhaps you can try to develop a set of handy quick reference pages, or FAQ's so that you don't get as many calls in the middle of the night when someone has chmod'd a file and can't use it any more.

[Baltar]

Originally Posted by sebzzz

I currently want to start my own business trying to promote Ubuntu Linux by going to homes installing Ubuntu Linux and give some training on it to people sick of Windows (like a was before I found Linux). I think there is room for that in my region because Linux is mostly unknown

This could work, but you'll need to find people who are really, and I mean REALLY unhappy with Windows. Humans hate change, and switching to Linux is a difficult change even for someone who's very computer savvy. I know this because I've been messing with computers for over 12 years, and recently decided to set up a Linux box (I went with SUSE) for use as a web server and source control server. I was in for quite a culture shock after using DOS/Windows for so many years. In the end Linux won me over but it was quite a ride.

You may be better off trying to convert local businesses, which will be able to pay you more money and get substantial savings from not having to pay for all those Microsoft software licenses. In any case, doing this by yourself will be very difficult if you intend to provide customer support over the long term. You're going to need knowledgeable staff sooner or later.

[fourthdan]

Dude - that's a great idea!! i've tried Ubuntu at work and at home, and I loved it!!! If ever there was a version of Linux that has come close to the user-freindliness of Windows, this has got to be it. The only problem (and it's a slowly vanishing one) left, is the limitation of applications on it. But there's wine, vmware and other ways to run windows apps on linux, if not an open source version of it. It's a great idea and you're helping shape what could be the turn in the tide for OS.

Good luck to you.

[Zach]

I can't even get nontechnical people to use Windows right, there's no way I could get them to learn how to use any form of Linux. Good luck with that! :P

[Abhey]

You might have more success helping people that have switched to os x. It's a bit more graphically polished then linux has microsoft office rather then openbloat. Also you might get more business helping people with problems they have with windows. I.E don't be dogmatic the focus of your business should be helping people not just pushing lunix.

[Doku]

My initial suggestion would be to sell to business rather than home user. Home user will hound you to no end with support calls when grandma can't find her photos, and her son can't help her either. Her son understands windows, and could help her w/o calling you.

Businesses, on the other hand, can understand decreased viruses, lack of game support, ease of remote backup/admin, etc. You can also sell a support contract to the company along with the initial software install sale/service.

Either way, this is going to be a very tough sell, and a very long road for you. (You DO love eating ramen and drinking water, right?)

--Doku

[kthdsn]

That sounds like a great idea, good luck with it!

I introduced a very new pc user to ubuntu after she had awful windows spyware problems, she loves it since it *just works*, she doesn't have to run loads of weekly scans and she can just switch on and get online.

I have never even met this person face to face, because of the live disk installer I was able to talk her through the installation and the basics over gaim/msn. She occassionally comes to me for advice and help, but far less often than she had to when she was using windows.

There are plenty of frustrated beginners out there who could benefit from ubuntu, it might be hard to find them though as they are usually the people least aware that they have a choice of operating systems.

[Brutha]

How much time do you think you need per person?
How much do you want to charge that person?

[Keith]

My suggestion: Get out there and do some "free samples".

In addition to being good promotion, and great practice, it'll get you out into 'the real world' where you can get a feel for what works, what doesn't and what are the challenges you need to address to make this work.

[IneffibleMind]

Great idea! Something you may want to do that has worked for me in the past is to do more than just install linux, even for businesses and such. Having cash come in is important to any business and while I in no way want to discourage you from your task I suggest that you also think about doing some basic windows troubleshooting such as spyware removal, wireless network setup, virus removal, etc. What better way to convince people to use linux (or in my case BSD) than by being able to show some of the selling points?

Good luck with your business, I know that you wont really need it!

[gberardi]

Originally Posted by Zach

I can't even get nontechnical people to use Windows right, there's no way I could get them to learn how to use any form of Linux. Good luck with that! :P

My girlfriend once asked if she could check her email, and I told her to go ahead. She didn't even try to do anything before saying "I don't know how to use Linux".

"Well, do you know how to use a web browser?"

"Yes..."

"Firefox?"

"Yes."

"Ok. Here you go. Congratulations! You're using Linux."


Frankly, people are used to Windows because it was how the computer came. If computers were sold with GNU/Linux pre-installed, you'd find that those people would be fine once they learned how to use the computer, and switching to Windows would be hard.

People have introduced GNU/Linux to grandparents and watched them become the tech support for all of their Windows-using friends.

It's not hard. It's different.

[elainevdw]

Ditto what gberardi said! Especially considering Ubuntu. I have no idea how complicated other Linux systems are, but I loooove Ubuntu.

And my only suggestion would be to give away zillions of those nifty "Powered by Ubuntu" stickers. After going through hell putting Xubuntu on an old laptop with no onboard CD or floppy drives or bootable USB support, I peeled that "Designed for Windows" sticker right off and replaced it with my Ubuntu sticker. Hell yeah!

[geekchic9]

I gotta admit, I'm skeptical--not about your idea, but by the way you are going about it. Quitting your job before your business is viable and can support you financially is really not the smartest way to go about it. I thought about starting my own business, and I attended a meeting at the local Women's Business Center where I live. Truth be told, I realized I knew nothing about about running a business. The legal aspects, the financial aspects, even the technical aspects. Here are a few questions I have for you:

1. How well do you know Ubuntu Linux? Can you a answer both complicated and ridiculously simple questions without losing patience? Can you run a server? Can you run a desktop?
2. How much money do you have to support yourself and the business?
3. Where's your business plan? If I wanted to give you money so you can support your business, I need a written business plan to see how financially viable your idea is.
4. Have you done any market research to see if the market wants your idea in the first place?
5. What is your support system like? Who do you go to when you have questions? Do you have a Linux Users Group for technical support? Do you have a mentor or business counselor for business support?
6. Do you have the personality of an entrepreneur? Are you a generalist? Are you a good salesperson? Are you willing to work 24/7 to get this business off of the ground?
7. Do you have a license for the name of your business? Are you a sole proprietor or are you going to incorporate?

These are the questions that were asked of me when I wanted to start a business. Let's hope your answers are better than mine were.

[mjukr]

I'm an Ubuntu user, but I have to say honestly that I don't think you'll ever turn a profit.

Linux will never make a dent in the minds of the consumer world until it comes pre-installed on hardware at major retailers (in the US, for example, Best Buy, Fry's, Circuit City, etc. etc.).

I have an acquaintance, however, who ekes a small living out of selling pressed Ubuntu CDs. There's still many people who are willing to buy because they don't have the bandwidth to download ISOs. Maybe you could do that to bring in some addt'l income while you try to get this thing off the ground?

Anyway, I wish you the best of luck!

[gberardi]

Originally Posted by mjukr

I'm an Ubuntu user, but I have to say honestly that I don't think you'll ever turn a profit.

Linux will never make a dent in the minds of the consumer world until it comes pre-installed on hardware at major retailers (in the US, for example, Best Buy, Fry's, Circuit City, etc. etc.).

Walmart has Linspire on some of its PCs. Is that major enough? B-)

Why do you think he'll never turn a profit? Never is an absolute, and you already gave a situation in which it is possible for him to make money. There are already a lot of people who use Linux-based systems, and it is a growing market. It has a wider user base than the Mac supposedly, although the Mac is primarily geared towards the desktop while Linux-based systems are more likely servers.

I get tired of hearing people complain about Windows, viruses, spyware, etc, and then conclude "Well, it isn't like I can do anything about it." Those same people either haven't heard of GNU/Linux or they equate it to the command line and assume it is archaic.

I don't think it is impossible. TuxGames apparently makes quite a bit of profit from games, which indicates that not only is there a desktop audience out there, but there is enough of them that a subset (game players) can support a company.

Yes, the general customer might still need to know about it, and GNU/Linux isn't getting the publicity that it did prior to the dot com bubble burst, but it has significant mindshare already. It can't exactly get worse unless users and developers give up on it in droves or they get simultaneously killed in some catastrophe. Neither one of those is likely, so the market will only get better.

[thadroe]

Why not try something a little more scalable? Like maybe some very clear and concise step-by-step videos. Then just charge for the videos...or do them as a podcast and monetize it some way on the back end.

I would have loved something like that when I first installed Ubuntu. I ran into 3 main problems at first, like the fonts looking all jacked up and it not recognizing my wireless router. I took me a look time to fix what I needed to because I found the Ubuntu forums and support pages to be very incomplete and a bit of a mess to search through.

Thad

[Niki]

You can put together small pc's with ubuntu pre-installed and sell them. Then you can give support for them. You can maybe put on a basic ubuntu system, with all the stuff they need to surf, mail, watch movies, Open Office ... etc

It doesnt need to be a computer with high spec's but i think it is going to be the best when you use small cases for them.

Because of the small cases and low specifications you can sell them for low prices. So people who are on the line of buying a (new) pc would love to buy that kind of systems i think. I know i would.

Greetings

[rohnin]

Hi!
How is it going?
Whats you focus?

Good luck!
/rohnin

[dor]

I would disagree with the naysayers to a large extent BUT you're going to have to provide a LOT of support and service upfront. possibly having remote access installed so you can work on peoples machines remotely? Dunno, that involves trust.

People are generaly NOT concerned about this or that flavor of technology they want what WORKs, not philosophies behind software - though I try to use linux because I don' tlike the idea of micrsoft -

I would more follow the model of the geeksquad founder guy - read up on it - its about service not software.

[pjgat09]

This sounds like a great idea!

I've had limited experiences with Ubuntu, but I do love it very much. I think a great idea to get this going is to burn a bunch of live CD's which you can try on potential customer's computers. If they like it then you help them back up their files and install it. If they don't like ubuntu, maybe try Knoppix? And of course you are going to get those people who just don't like the idea all together.

I wish you much luck, keep us informed as to how its going.

[mjukr]

Originally Posted by mjukr

I'm an Ubuntu user, but I have to say honestly that I don't think you'll ever turn a profit.

Linux will never make a dent in the minds of the consumer world until it comes pre-installed on hardware at major retailers (in the US, for example, Best Buy, Fry's, Circuit City, etc. etc.).

I have an acquaintance, however, who ekes a small living out of selling pressed Ubuntu CDs. There's still many people who are willing to buy because they don't have the bandwidth to download ISOs. Maybe you could do that to bring in some addt'l income while you try to get this thing off the ground?

Anyway, I wish you the best of luck!

Well, I just may have to eat my own words! Dell has announced, due to customer feedback, that they will soon begin selling consumer PCs with Linux pre-installed:

PC World - Dell Promises Pre-Installed Linux

So maybe the time is ripe for your business! I'd given thought to this idea for quite awhile myself, but abandoned it for the reasons in my initial post. Seems like the tide is slowly changing, though.

[One]

Have you seen ReactOS? They're trying to pull the ground out from under Microsoft by building an opensource windows.

[patrick24601]

To me "going around installing linux for people who hate windows" is no business plan. And I don't believe that you will ever make much headway that way.

Basically you just want to be a linux consultant. A very good one where there are few or none. So you need to carve yourself out as a local expert in the area. Find out alot of free ways to get publicity for yourself. Hold free seminars on general computer instruction (web browsing, checking email, etc), but just do it on Linux instead of windows. When asked why you chose this OS make sure you have some clear reasons why - and don't say "because windows sucks".

[greys]

What you should do is learn the needs of your community. If most PC users in the area are 14-year olds playing latest PC games - you're probably out of luck. Ubuntu is still a long way from being a really great gaming platform for the most recent titles.

However, if the majority of your future customers are office people with simple tasks like sending emails, browsing interenet and occasionally watching a movie - there's a good opportunity here.

The reason you need such a a research is because one unhappy customer will overpower 10 of happy ones - so if someone went ahead with Ubuntu without fully realizing some things it wouldn't be suitable for, such a person could later really damage your trust by spreading the negative word.

Good luck with the business!

[aussieNickuss]

The French Parliament announced they are switching from Windows to Ubuntu on their desktops and servers in June. This could be a good sign that things are really starting to move for Linux.