Projects like the Tux Project and the Radio Talkshow Blitz are vitally important projects when it comes to helping the Free Software movement grow.

I was unable to cover the Tux500 project as a journalist because I was one of the external auditors of that project, along with Brian Proffitt. Now, however, my fiduciary responsibilities to that project are long since past. A new project has risen that encompasses it - with more community support behind it than the Tux500 project had. Additionally, the Radio Talkshow Blitz is coming alongside the Tux Project, and may yet unite with it. These projects are vital to spreading Free Software to the general public.

First, one might wonder why it is so important to spread Free Software and the ideals of user freedom. For one thing, we want more people to discover the practical benefits of software freedom. For another, we want people to be able to use software that is more reliable, secure and better protects their privacy (as in, doesn't phone home). We also want people to refrain from infringing copyrights. Then there is the need for more and better support from hardware manufacturers. And did I mention the adoption of Open Standards? It's happening. But it could happen a bit faster.

Part of the problem is familiarity. People have never heard the terms "Linux" or "Free/Open Source Software". Despite word-of-mouth advertsing being the best means of advertising, many people still don't know what FOSS or GNU/Linux is. I meet them everyday. I know at least one man who literally thought Microsoft IS computing. In other words, he thought Microsoft was the only company out there doing software. It's true, he is not among the most knowledgeable users. Still, the Microsoft brand is simply that pervasive. What the FOSS community needs is the pervasive brand recognition that will help improve the word-of-mouth evangelists in the field become more effective.

We can argue about the effectiveness of the Tux500 project all day long, but the fact is that thousands, if not millions, of people saw the Tux penguin on an Indy500 race car. The next time they hear about GNU/Linux, they now have a frame of reference. Believe it or not, that really does help. Now consider the Radio Talkshow Blitz. As people who call into a radio show and discuss GNU/Linux on the air, that show's audience is likely to hear about it. They will hear good and bad things about it, but they will hear about it and become familiar with it.

Scott Ruecker, LXer's new Editor-in-Chief, has been featured on a local radio talkshow at least once or twice. That means hundreds or thousands of people have heard about GNU/Linux that would not have heard about it through word-of-mouth advertising. At least a few of those have likely investigated further, and out of those, some will eventually migrate from Windows. Hence, the importance of The *Nixed Report's radio talkshow blitz. Imagine hundreds or thousands of FOSS community members calling into talkshow hosts to discuss Free/Open Source Software. What if you manage to get on Rush Limbaugh? Or Al Franken? How about John Boy and Billy or Tom Joyner? It's a great way to build that brand recognition.

The *Nixed Report has published some talking points that everyone can use to help craft their message. Similarly, the Tux Project is floating the "We Are Linux" idea, where they want to encourage community members to wear Tux logos on September 17th, the day the Linux kernel was uploaded for the first time. We already have Software Freedom Day as a way to promote software freedom. This event continues to grow by leaps and bounds.

If we are going to really help people discover the world's best software, help them discover why software freedom is so important, help them learn more about computers in general, we truly must work to build that pervasive brand recognition that makes the lights come on when you share GNU/Linux and Free Software with others. Word-of-mouth is the best advertising you can get. Nowhere do the marketing textbooks say it should be your only approach. So go ahead, call into a radio talkshow. Wear the GNU and Tux logos. Get involved in Software Freedom Day. And remember to share a CD or two in the process.