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List:       kde-promo
Subject:    Re: [kde-promo] WSJ Strikeout and TypeHeads [LONG]
From:       Jonathan Singer <jsinger () genome ! wi ! mit ! edu>
Date:       2003-04-11 1:50:31
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From: LEFEBVRE Herve <aegir@free.fr>

> *BUT* I would just say that it's much easier for an american newspaper to talk
> about an "american product" (gnome). An european product whoul'dnt be so
> interesting for american readers.

I don't think it's that clear cut. Linux gets far more attention than the
US-originated *BSD family, for instance.

My impression of why GNOME gets disproportionate attention in the US,
relative to KDE:

1) Red Hat dominates the North American Linux market, and pushes GNOME along
with it. That was especially true when the Linux hype started in the Red Hat
6.0 days.

2) The people who run the various US Linux institutions (Red Hat, Slashdot,
Debian, GNOME, VA, FSF) are all friends from way back. (Look at the pictures
from Hemos' and CmdrTaco's weddings. See any KDE or Suse people there?) They
gave each other a lot of publicity early on, which strengthened all of them.
Not that it did VA much good but...

3) Someone mentioned this on IRC once, and I think it's entirely correct --
KDE has a very European esthetic, especially the bright colors. KDE looks
like a Benetton store; GNOME looks like a Gap or Banana Republic.

4) The story of Miguel, the brilliant hacker challenging Microsoft
single-handedly plays well to an American audience. Linux has a similar
hook, while KDE and FreeBSD both seem to emerge from a faceless committee.

Of course, all these reinforce one another.

Incidentally, I commend everyone involved in this discussion, apart from the
original flamebait-y post. It's rare to see a "My country? Well, YOUR
country...!" discussion remain civil, let alone become more civil as it
progresses. That's why I love working with you guys!!! 

 
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