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Idea #13109: Marketing: save computers from landfill

Written by stoffel the 12 Sep 08 at 19:18. Category: Marketing. Related project: Nothing/Others. Status: New
Rationale
Many people using Windows simply buy a new computer when their old one gets too slow due to virusses for example. They throw away the old computer because they think it is broken or outdated, but in fact it is just their operating system that is broken.

What about a marketing campaign to get people to put Ubuntu on such "landfill computers"?

Important questions for this *draft* brainstorm idea:
* How can we prevent that people start to associate Linux with old computers and Window with new computers?

* Can we get help from organisations like Greenpeace?

* How can we highlight to these people that their computer they wanted to throw away is running fast again because of the power of Linux compared to the garbage of Windows? Maybe this is a good slogan?: "Don't throw away your whole computer when only the installed operating system is garbage! Replace your OS by the more powerful Ubuntu and the environment will love you...and so does your wallet!"

* How can we get these people to also consider Ubuntu for their new computers?

* What is the impact of throwing away a computer on the environment instead of keeping it in use?

* What about the Ubuntu community installing Ubuntu for free when people bring their old computer to the landfil? Maybe these people will return home happily with a "new" Ubuntu computer! I'm sure these happy people will tell their friends about the "lead-into-gold tranformation" experience they had!

This idea was inspired by: http://www.workswithu.com/2008/09/10/ubuntu-saves-compaq-presario-2100-from-dea th-and-windows/

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Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #13109
Written by stoffel the 12 Sep 08 at 19:18.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #13109 was submitted before this update, its rationale and solution are not separated. Please vote accordingly, and if you have the necessary rights, please separate the rationale from the solution. Thanks!

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Comments
r0g wrote on the 12 Sep 08 at 23:39
Yes this is one way linux can really make a difference to the world both here and abroad.

One of the biggest problems here though is that Xubuntu is called Xubuntu after Xfce which, although appropriate tribute to the xfce devs, conveys no semantic information and so it gets very little mindshare compared to Ubuntu proper - which really isn't the best *buntu to be putting on old, low ram boxen.

The name really should be changed to something more like: Ecobuntu, in the same way we have Edubuntu. In fact I like that so much I'm going to go propose it :-)

cheesehead (Brainstorm moderator) wrote on the 12 Sep 08 at 23:57
A useful project in some segments of society.

That market has shown that people will spend a lot of money for convenience - and Ubuntu just isn't convenient enough yet to be a viable choice for most people.

Tree MendUs wrote on the 13 Sep 08 at 00:19
rOg

The"x" could go at the end - EcobuntuX,
or may be EcoXubuntu .


The people that are thinking of getting a new replacement PC, can still try putting Ubuntu on the old one. They can give it to theirs kids, the kids next door, a family down the road.

tgyorgyi wrote on the 13 Sep 08 at 14:36
> How can we get these people to also consider Ubuntu for
> their new computers?

How about this slogan:

"Do two good deeds today to save the environment:
1. Instead of throwing out, put Ubuntu on your old computer and keep it for visitors, give it to your kids, or donate it to an charitable organisation in your neighborhood.
2. Install Ubuntu on your new computer, and you will NOT need to get rid of it for low performance." :-)

sciurus wrote on the 14 Sep 08 at 04:00
There are many organizations doing this. Get involved with one in your area or start one if there isn't!

A good way to search for organizations is http://techsoup.org/techfinder/index.cfm

pipertehc wrote on the 17 Sep 08 at 17:12
this is a genius idea......

BRILLIANT in line with the community driven aspect of Ubuntu and underlining humanity and kindness to others through acts of kindness and generosity.

for example i have offered to refurbish computers and install Ubuntu CE for a local toddler group and church group.

im not religious in any way shape of form, but believe in doing so im able to give to the community enabling under privileged individuals the opportunity to benefit from technology.

instead of focusing on "the garbage of windows" and joining the OS slanging match - leave that to the bitter proprietary giants - let them concentrate on their differences and alow Ubuntu (and linux) concentrate on being better than both. - leapfrog the squabble

this i believe can be achieved through the strength and commitment of the Linux community.

so to expand on what "tgyorgyi" said......

encourage participation.....
offer a service a monthly drive in a community center

> Update to humanity <

where a local service technicians donate a day a month in a community centre offering to consult install and train potential noobs to get them up and running at the same time donations(older hardware) can be made to Charity's or local community efforts (only registered charities maybe)killing two birds with one stone saving landfill and giving something beneficial back

also the technician runs a live cd on the users old machine to show them how much they are contributing to the community - this is also displayed on the desktop of the machine in its new location - like a plaque or similar
i.e system donated by XXXXXXX

part of the service is to show the potential of the new machine via live cd explaining the long term benifits of linux both on a personal level as well as environmental level

pipertehc wrote on the 17 Sep 08 at 17:21
to add further on this......

help from Greenpeace will be a mine field of red tape as we cannot guarantee the hardware manufacturers green credentials and Greenpeace have some of these manufactures on "a list"

proposal >

help charities, and other initiatives that promote "humanity through being" migrate to Ubuntu offer the while service including a subsidized support package for them what they save in proprietary licensing they can donate a little of that back to ubuntu

propose charitable organizations to only use landfill computers to promote the environmental impact of such activities...........

cheesehead (Brainstorm moderator) wrote on the 18 Sep 08 at 13:25
Might also be a good fund-raising activity for a local user group that also provides follow-up support.

stoffel wrote on the 21 Sep 08 at 20:55
@pipertehc: I guess Greenpeace does prefer to see *any* computer be saved from landfill, whether or not it is a green computer.


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