Has Firefox lost its mojo?
That’s what Computer World’s Preston Gralla wonders at his latest blog post, referring to the recent Firefox TV ad campaign. I reproduce here my comments to his post to get some more opinions about this topic.
“Is this what open source software is all about — big bucks spent on TV ads?”
No it is not. But getting people to know about your product, certainly is. And working at CW, you should know better.
“As open source software, Firefox depends on the good graces of those who contribute their time and effort for free. If there’s extra money to be thrown around, perhaps contributors should get paid for their time. They could use the money more than TV networks.”
I doubt there is extra money. And when did advertisement become a giveaway? I doubt VeriSign placed the banner I see right now right before your article because the money was itching in their bank account. It is called investment: more FF users -> more built-in searches -> more revenue -> more programmers -> better product
Mozilla’s mission is to “preserve choice and innovation on the Internet.”, so you better get your great standards-compliant, open-source, extensible, multiplatform, cool product to be known.
So your point would be more relevant if you could provide actual figures of how much was invested. Yes it could be too much, and that could be debatable. Otherwise it is as bad as those Red Cross or Unicef banners and mailing you can get any day. That money of course could be “better spent” in vaccines and food. Hope you get the point.
I agree however [that] TV ads are less “cool” or “mojoful” than getting to know a product by word of mouth.
So, what do you think?
Comments
Percy Cabello
Greg, that makes pretty much sense. It seems like the obvious way to go and I wonder why this channel haven’t been tried before. I guess it must be cheaper and better targeted as you mention.
Frank Moorman
Greg makes a very good point. I would like to ad to Percy’s comment though… If we take targeted ads one step farther, we could probably specify to serve the ads only to people running IE. Why pay to advertise your product to people who already use it.
Maybe spend the money to sponsor web search results from google. Target people who are looking for spyware remover and advertise Firefox as a way to prevent adware/spyware. This is just one possibility, I am sure there are many more.
Nicolás - Zona Firefox
May be is not the best way placing ads on TV. It is all discutible, but i agree with all ways to promote Firefox. I agree with your comments and it’s true, may be another way is more effective, but i think also that all ideas are good. Firefox is the browser of the community and all community ideas may be right. We need more effort and all constructive ideas are nice. May be right put ads and also banners on popular websites too, and etc.
Sorry for my english :)
Greg
Since Firefox can’t get themself an OEM desktop default type situation, ads make sense. On TV tho? I don’t know about that. It would make more sense to place ads in places that would more likely hit internet users though. I suspect more old people who don’t use the net and people in general who aren’t avid net users, watch more TV than YouTube…so what do they really care about another web browser as long as the one they already have works?
Placing ads on specific internet sites would probably be a better idea. It would be cool to see a Firefox ad at a place like cnn.com or myspace.com or something. People who use the net, care about their net experience. People watching TV, might care or might not. TV’s a waste for this niche IMHO.
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