Do you think distributions should use promo videos?
 

And I mean what the thread title is sayin', when new version of the distribution is released? But I don't think that it would be bad if they all would have some general promo video. I think of it as a nice way to promote your distro and I also think that that kind of promotion would attract more users.

As an example, here's the link to Sabayon 5 promo video; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbKV4...layer_embedded

I find it to be very simple, short but at the same time great. And I like it very much.
In my opinion, all that should be said, considering all the facts that is, was said in that video and in a very nice way. I think that there was no inner distro things in it for a reason, if you understand me.

Anyhow, my vote goes for that kind of promotion, but sadly I have seen only few of that kind of videos on the net.

What do you think?

Two thumbs down, we have quite enough self promotion and advertising already.

Will you be a little more specific?

If they work, then yes. Distros should use whatever tools are available to get the word out there - Twitter, video, paid ads, Facebook, etc. They can always drop the ones that can be shown to give little value.

As to whether they "should" or not, especially if it's paid advertising, I think is up to the distro's producers - depends if it's a distro that is actively marketed to the greater public, such as Ubuntu. Distros that don't actively get promoted to the general public by their maker, and who aren't aiming for world domination, there's no real need and probably little benefit.

People who are looking for something, will find it. They don't need to be advertised to.

Now with that said.. If free television advertisement spots were offered to any distros who wanted one, I say, "any distro that's worth using, should accept the offer and put on an ad."
I think a TV ad/video still has more potential impact on people than an internet video. Maybe it's just me?

Regardless, someone has to make the video, and distros with very few maintainers just might have better things to work on than promo videos.

:twocents:

Alan ri : More specific? I wasn't thinking of any particular entity, it's just the whole self promotional philosophy of life.

@mostlyharmless
- I understand you and if we do think the same and I believe we do, then we don't like the same thing and that would be bad and negative self promotion or advertising of any kind in that sense. Something like MS philosophy. But distributions promo videos would not fall in that category, because as I see it, distros would be promoting freedom, openess and good if you want. Because they wouldn't want to earn money or something, they would just want to show you that there is a choice.

@Sasha
- I do remember what your name is... :) ...and I do remember all the good things you've done for me here! ^^

"should" in the thread title was meant in the sense how would distros get more attention and be more recognizable. Promo video as a way to say what you want about your distro and your community. You are right, of course that everything is up to distro's producers, but you said... ... and I do not agree with that. First thing that should be made clear is that distribution's promo video is not advertising if you keep that video on your pages, if you understand me and that's what I had in mind when I started this thread. Of course, if someone wants to pass that video to someone or somewhere else, good. Me, as a true believer and user of Linux and Open Source in general, would never like to see some of the distros using some paid ads or something alike for their promotion.

I would have not known of so many things if they weren't promoted properly. I believe you too will have to agry with me on this one. I remember back in the gaming days first thing that I would do when a new game is out, I would go to some gaming site and check the new promo video.

Yes, TV video would be a great thing too, but as you said it depends if it would be free, but at the moment I was thinking only at internet.

And yes again, developers might have better things to do than promo videos, but there is one thing called community and they could be the ones who would work on something like that.

I hope my views are a little clearer now. :)

Thanks Alan,

Actually I think you did a decent job of writing the initial post; I may have read a little more into it than was really there, or maybe got a little bit sidetracked while replying. :)

Reading your question reminded me of those "Linux" superbowl ads that were played a few years ago (I'm not just imagining those am I?). I never saw them 'live' or on TV, I went looking for it/them on the net after hearing of them, but I understand they reached a lot of people, and had overall a positive impact..

Welcome back BTW.

alan ri

Let me put it this way: if I need to buy something,or give to a charity, or participate in an activity, then I'll look for what I want, when I want, do some research, and make a decision. If a distro's video is instructional, then that might help, but I'm of a reading generation, not a video generation. On the other hand, advertisements, even those that "just want to inform me" are totally unappealing. No soliciting please.

Thank you Sasha! And you are welcome!

About that superbowl ads, well I haven't seen them, but something like that is one thing that I had in mind too when I started this thread. You see, people need to know, people need to see, so they can make a decision. Sometimes they just have to be informed about the truth. That said, It may all sound deep, but Linux in my opinion is missing those good videos about itself and everything around it. There is one video that will explain, hopefully, what I mean. And I like that video so very much, I'll add it to my signature here, because it needs to be seen. And that is kind of a video that Linux needs in my opinion. The link; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XEujPG7Zjw


@mostlyharmless
- Let me put it this way; if I want to buy something, or give to a charity, or participate in an activity, then I'll look for what I want, when I want, do some research, and make a decision. And by doing so I would be happy if there is some video, good video that will have all the info that I need. I don't think that I have to say why that is so. I'm of reading generation, but I'm also of video generation, so I could say to each his own, but also I'll say if things can be simpler, better and can save you a lot of time, then why not?