| The other day while at the book store, I came across | | | | do people actually buy from a garage sale box? Most |
| some accounting software CDs strewn with other | | | | likely something for a hobby, say something you want |
| CDs and books in garage sale box.How can any self | | | | to learn about but a new book costs a bomb. Maybe |
| respecting businessman (even a small one at that) pick | | | | a recipe book, taichi and of course the fast outdated |
| up a copy of this cheap sale accounting CD from the | | | | tech books. We're talking about something 'light' or |
| box for his business to use? He'd think "what type of | | | | outdated that ends up in the garage sale box. Certainly |
| accounting system is this that would end up in a | | | | not for something that's as important as accounting |
| garage sale?"...and he's not even heard of free | | | | software for any business to use.Perhaps open |
| software yet! If he did, he'd probably figure "What type | | | | source businesses need to emphasize on the word |
| of software is this that you can just click and get it for | | | | solutions instead of free or open source. Package the |
| free on the Internet?"In most cases, this thinking "..what | | | | software into a decent looking box. Show the |
| type of..?" continues and applies to the person on the | | | | customer that there are costs by itemising, 'software |
| other end - the guy promoting it. It goes "what type of | | | | cost' foc, show a charge for download, copy, |
| person are you to promote something that cheap (that | | | | packaging, transport and include training, upgrade, email, |
| ends up in a garage sale box) to me?". It follows | | | | telephone, etc support services, add them up and |
| "What type of company are you representing? Or do | | | | show a 'total solutions' cost. Stack the costs up against |
| you even have a company?"Even small business | | | | proprietory solutions and very likely open applications |
| owners have self respect when they shop for budget | | | | looks a better option for the customer. The idea is to |
| items.The guy selling free software tried "No sir. This is | | | | show that there is a cost for the solution you are |
| open source program, very popular and respectable. | | | | selling - just like any other product. The marketing |
| Do you know Apache? It's also free.."Businessman | | | | campaign may be capped by putting it as a summer |
| "You mean the one with war paint on his face fighting | | | | offer - normal say USD400 now only USD199.James |
| Custer in the movie?". Thanks to Hollywood, some | | | | NK Khoo is the owner of Qwenkay Information a |
| things just get stereotyped.For those of us who | | | | company providing support for content management |
| promote open source applications the above scenario | | | | systems software and accounting software. |
| though hilarious, is not unreal.If we think about it, what | | | | |