As discussed in the Promo channel, we must also be careful with the wording... How do we explain Plasma in one line, for example? Trying to avoid the "desktop environment" phrase my initial instinct it something like:

A friendly Linux-based system where you can do most everything you do on Windows 7 [*would this be true, considering they can run stuff on WINE?*] and then some. Plus you get the added Linux security (no viruses and no trojans!) and protection to your privacy, help from a friendly community, and it is all free forever

Or something like that.

Possibly we could post in the various Windows forums that are around (get permission to do so first, but that shouldn't be too hard):

• https://www.sevenforums.com/
• https://windowsforum.com/#windows-7-forums.251
• https://www.windowsforum.org/forum/63-windows-client-os-support/
• https://www.techrepublic.com/forums/windows/
• https://forum.thewindowsclub.com/
• ...

(also a few german ones:)

• https://www.windowsforum.de/
• https://www.drwindows.de/forum.php

I believe that our main goal is to interest people in Plasma which are don't know what it is, and who are afraid Linux. I know a lot of people who really afraid the Linux and and consider me crazy because i use it.

Here are some steps:

Plasma is easier than Windows

• Show some examples why and where the Plasma is easier to use than Windows.
• Mention that M$ is borrowed different features from Plasma and KDE mentions something from Windows, therefore in Plasma is many familiar things from Windows or just tell that Plasma is similar to Windows.

Plasma is lighter than Windows 7-10

• No need to focus on this but it necessary to mention.

Plasma is has more new exclusive/unique features (from point of view of Windows users)

• For example, show the coolness of Plasma customization with some screenshots from unixporn and maybe some descriptions to it.

Plasma 10. It's really not a Windows 10, it's a Plasma!

https://www.reddit.com/r/unixporn/comments/bhxmsq/kde_plasma_dope_blur_everything/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x

• Animations, i think it's necessary to show Plasma animations and effects.

KDE Apps

• Show and tell about the KDE Apps.

Linux/Plasma have your favorite apps

• Show other familiar to Windows users open and not open apps that which are available in Linux (Spotify, Discord, VLC, Firefox).
• WINE? Could to tell a little bit about the WINE, that it's makes possible to launch some Windows apps.

Plasma and Videogames

• Tell about Steam, that there is some games for Linux and Proton by Valve that it's make possible to play on many-many Windows games on Linux.

Kubuntu, KDE neon, openSUSE, Manjaro... What to choose?

• Could to choose one from Linux distros with KDE Plasma to be promote it
  • Kubutu - the easiest?
  • KDE neon - by KDE but hard for a beginners.
  • openSUSE - i didn't try it.
  • Manjaro - not so stable

Advice

When visiting forums where Windows users hang out

• First and foremost: KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE
• Study the forum before intervening.
  • Learn the rules
  • If in doubt, check with the admins in private if your posts will be appropriate
  • Find what annoys or triggers the contributors
  • Identify the lead contributors. Study their opinions and style
  • Study their vocabulary and how they describe things
• Avoid deriding Windows or painting its users as stupid or ignorant: you are there to help the punters upgrade, not to jeer
• Notwithstanding the above if you have to point out something negative about Windows, make very sure it is true and do it in the least aggressive way possible
• Ask people about Windows and their experience with it. This is the best way to gain their trust: everybody loves to vent
• Do not boast about yourself as a Linux/BSD/whatever user, the FLOSS community or FLOSS-based technology
• Avoid sarcasm at all costs
• Be pragmatic when recommending stuff: Just because you think [insert your favorite distro here] is the best, it doesn't mean it will be a appropriate for beginner users. You know what I am talking about, right, Arch users?
• Do not make the Community sound like a cult. Tip: use "you" instead of "we": Don't say "We have solved XYZ problem". Do say "You won't have XYZ problem because it has been solved"
• Exploit the Linux brand! Linux has a reputation of being stable and safe
• Dispell Linux myths! Linux has a reputation of being hard to use. Use media,videos of people reviewing and using Linux desktops in user-friendly ways to support your argument. Also KDE's Plasma and Applications release videos
• Do not refer to any Free Software environment or application as an "alternative". Again: you are there to help people upgrade from Windows, not get a cheap knock off
• Try to avoid jargon, buzz words and acronyms unless you are very sure your audience are familair with them. For the record, "distribution", "desktop environment", "application", "ecosystem", "office suite" are all obscure jargon
• Point Free Software or multiplatform applications (Firefox, Chrome, Chromium, Krita, Blender, etc.) to reassure users they will find familiar stuff when they move

When addressing individuals 1-to-1 (live or answering through comments):

• Bear in mind nobody likes to be told they were wrong
• Do not engage with overly argumentative or aggressive punters looking for a fight (i.e. do not feed the trolls)
• Address the content of the message, not the tone
• If someone is rude or angry, the best way to defuse the situation is to be polite and helpful
• If you don't know something, don't bluff: say you will research it and then go and do that

Common questions you will have to answer

• "Do I need to know how to program to use Linux?"
• "Will I have to edit a lot of text files?"
• "Do you have to use a text screen for everything?"
• "Will I be able to run [some Windows only application] on Linux?"

People who have started doing this before us and can be used to support arguments:

https://vivaldi.com/blog/replace-windows-7-with-linux/

"Re-create a theme that looks and feels like Windows 7?"

With a combination of certain themes and icon sets, we've managed to create a Windows 7 like look and feel in Plasma 5 in the Telegram Channel. An ISO of a pre-customised Feren OS was made for the purpose of promotional use to demonstrate this theme in the Telegram channel.

As for creating an overall Global Theme out of those items: It depends on if Global Themes can set the Qt style to 'gtk2' and if all the pieces can be made to be easily installable without issues (currently the Seven Black Plasma Theme doesn't install properly when done through GHNS).

As for creating an overall Global Theme out of those items: It depends on if Global Themes can set the Qt style to 'gtk2' and if all the pieces can be made to be easily installable without issues (currently the Seven Black Plasma Theme doesn't install properly when done through GHNS).

I talk to @leinir who manages the store, but I don't have good news: there seems to be no way to contact the author, his site, twitter and LinkedIn accounts seem to be abandoned, and, as there is no license associated with the theme, the standard restrictive copyright rules apply which means we cannot legally fork the theme to mend it.

The lesson we learn form this is: When you make themes, specify the license, people!

First draft for a "I'd like to post this KDE promotion thingy here" to send to moderators of the respective forums/subreddits. I'm not great at writing these things, so please edit/update/improve as you'd like.

Greetings,

I am <insert name here> and I am a member of KDE (kde.org), a worldwide community that creates free software and a free powerful Linux desktop called KDE Plasma (see kde.org/plasma-desktop). As you surely know, the support for Windows 7 will end on January 14th. We are convinced that some people that are currently still using Windows 7 would be interested in switching to KDE Plasma, as Plasma has a similar default look and feel to Windows and does not have things from Windows 10 that many users are worried about (e.g. less control about updates or privacy issues). Instead, we try to offer a compelling package that is lightweight, private, more secure and more customizable than other options.

Therefore we'd like to create a post at <insert location where to post> where we present KDE Plasma to your audience. Because this would obviously be a rather unusual topic, we first wanted to reach out and get your permission to do so. If you'd like to see what exactly we intend to post, please visit <link to post>. We'd love to hear back from you when possible.

Best regards and a nice day,
<name>

Draft for a generic post for the respective forums/subreddits. Again, feedback more than welcome.

Still on Windows 7? Consider upgrading to KDE Plasma

On January 14th, 2020, Microsoft will end all support for Windows 7. This means that computers that run on Windows 7 will no longer get important security updates and you will no longer be able to get customer support if you do have a problem. If you still own a computer that runs Windows 7, you should find out how to proceed. One among many options is to switch your operating system to Linux and use KDE Plasma.

Linux is part of an operating system that is used everywhere, from Android phones to cameras to servers or supercomputers. It is known to be very stable, secure (there has not been a single widespread virus or ransomware case for Linux) and the best thing is that it is completely free! As I already said, Linux is only a part of a bigger package which makes up your operating system. Another part is the way your desktop looks and acts. There are many options that you can pick from, but one that looks and feels very similar to Windows 7 is KDE Plasma.

KDE Plasma is made by KDE (https://kde.org), a worldwide community that makes free software for everyone. We work together to create over 200 powerful and intuitive programs for you to use and be productive with. Without any modifications, KDE Plasma already looks similar to Windows. But because we believe that you should be able to make your desktop truly yours, we give you extensive customization options. You can see a video example where we quickly adapted the look to be more like the Windows 7 ("Aero") one at <link to video>. You can learn more about KDE Plasma at https://kde.org/plasma-desktop.

For a long time, Linux was known as being hard to use and had only a very limited selection of software available. This is no longer the case. Using Linux and KDE Plasma is no harder than using Windows or macOS - editing countless configuration files and running arcane commands is not required anymore. You can also enjoy a massive selection of programs that cover a big majority of needs.

Interested? Trying out and installing Linux with KDE Plasma is easier than ever before. You can follow the generic steps at https://www.wikihow.com/Install-Linux and then use one of the options from https://kde.org/distributions whenever need to choose a "distribution" (don't worry - all 4 options on this link are similar and any should work for you). This will also allow you to test KDE Plasma without modifiying your computer at all! If you have any problems or questions, then come to https://webchat.kde.org and join #kde-welcome. This is a friendly chat room where experienced KDE and Linux users will gladly help you through the installation process.

What's up with the article link? It doesn't work here:

In T12444#217010, @linuxpusher wrote:

What's up with the article link? It doesn't work here:

Mended

The article link should be updated to this:
https://dot.kde.org/2020/01/08/plasma-safe-haven-windows-7-refugees

In T12444#217013, @linuxpusher wrote:

The article link should be updated to this:
https://dot.kde.org/2020/01/08/plasma-safe-haven-windows-7-refugees

Oh... You mean in the description. Quite right. Done.

Hello,

Not sure having an enough time to write this, but I'd also recommend to write instructions and answers at Quora and WikiHow for users who wish to migrate from Windows 7 to Plasma.

In Quora, there are topics on KDE, Plasma 5, or even specific versions of Plasma (e.g. one for 5.10) already available which lists questions related to KDE Plasma 5. Additionally, Quora users can request someone to answer specific questions, which we can benefit through KDE users or ambassadors being active in answering those questions.

In overall, potential users should see Plasma and the migration process as easy, straightforward, and helpful, through a variety of communication channels (sites, wikis, social networks, etc.). The user migration support should be more friendly as compared to FSF's "Close Windows, Open Doors" campaign which communicates on limited channels (Mastodon et al.) which are not common to general Windows 7 users.

A forum post I wrote for some Facebook groups:

I realise this may be coming out of the left field, but have you folks ever considered moving to Linux? Updating to Windows 10 sounds tricky or undesirable for many end users, and not updating sounds dangerous. Besides, KDE has just published a post about their new Plasma desktop that runs atop Linux.

https://youtu.be/TJzfaqRLfpY

(Read the description of the video)

The message being how Plasma can look and feel like a Windows system just be tweaking its theme (it can also look and feel like macOS if that is your thing).

Admittedly, Windows is more than looks and there may be reasons you cannot move, such as some specialised applications you can't find for Linux.

That said, there are many native Linux applications that can do a lot of what Windows programs can do, and often more. Even if you can't find the equivalent you need, things like WINE have become very good at helping people run their Windows programs on Linux.

Also, Plasma does away with the need to configure your system by editing text files, and has comprehensive Setting dashboard that you can use for everything, from adjusting the transparency of windows on the desktop to setting up your printer.

You can give Plasma a spin by downloading one of the live distributions and running it off a USB stick.>

https://kde.org/products/

(I personally like Manjaro, but Neon, openSUSE and Kubuntu are solid too).

There is no need to touch your hard disk. Once you're done, power done, remove the USB stick and nothing on your system has changed.

It would be interesting to have your feedback, since we are trying to cater more to Windows users and the best way is helping them test our Linux software. Would you like to help guide us to what you may need from a non-Windows desktop?

I adapt the introduction to the topic of the day or the comment I am responding to. If you want to use this, I suggest you make it your own.

I tweaked yours a little bit to try and make it easier to understand for non-Linux users, fix a spelling mistake, and make some words into contractions to make it sound more casual. What do you think?

I realise this may be coming out of the left field, but have you folks ever considered moving to Linux? Updating to Windows 10 sounds tricky or undesirable for many end users, and not updating sounds dangerous. Besides, KDE just posted a YouTube video about making a Windows 7 skin for your Linux system, using a KDE Plasma theme. Linux is only a part of a bigger package which makes up your operating system. Another part is the way your desktop looks and acts. There are many options that you can pick from, but one that looks and feels very similar to Windows 7 is KDE Plasma.

https://youtu.be/TJzfaqRLfpY

(Read the description of the video)

The message being how Plasma can look and feel like a Windows system just by tweaking its theme (it can also look and feel like macOS if that's your thing).

Admittedly, Windows is more than looks and there may be reasons you can't move, such as some specialised applications you can't find for Linux.

That said, there are many native Linux applications that can do a lot of what Windows programs can do, and often more. Even if you can't find the equivalent you need, things like WINE have become very good at helping people run their Windows programs on Linux.

Also, Plasma does away with the need to configure your system by editing text files, and has a comprehensive settings dashboard that you can use for everything, from adjusting the transparency of windows on the desktop to setting up your printer.

You can give Plasma a spin by downloading one of the live distributions and running it off a USB stick.

https://kde.org/products/

(I personally like Manjaro, but Neon, openSUSE and Kubuntu are solid too).

There is no need to touch your hard disk. Once you're done, power down, remove the USB stick and nothing on your existing Windows system has changed.

It would be interesting to have your feedback, since we are trying to cater more to Windows users and the best way is helping them test our Linux software. Would you like to help guide us to what you may need from a non-Windows desktop?

Thank you @PopeRigby ! Great job

I suggest to emphasize how fast and secure is Plasma on performing things as compared with Windows 7. For example,

• ‎Adding Printers: Just plug-and-play, it is very likely that you do not need to install separate drivers for that.
• Installing Applications: Discover (the application store for Plasma) allows you to install applications without‎ the pain of clicking Download buttons on sites that might lead to advertisements and even malware.
• Web Browsing: Most Linux distributions ‎offering Plasma includes with a default browser (e.g. Falkon, Firefox, Vivaldi) that is fast and secure (especially when compared with Internet Explorer)‎.‎‎

‎Then there are certain features, which are limited to specific editions of Windows 7 as well as available in later versions of Windows, such as

• Full Aero, Metro, and Windows 10 Theme (Win7 Home Basic or above): Plasma is customizable with various themes (see previous replies).
• Advanced Display Arrangement: Connect to External Display/Projector (Win7 Home Basic or above and later): Available in System Settings.
• Windows 8-like Task Switcher (Win8 and Win8.1 only): Accessible by default using the Alt + Tab shortcut. In Windows 8 it is Win/Meta + Tab.
• Disk Encryption (Win7 Enterprise and Ultimate; Win8-Win10 Pro): Most Linux distribution provides disk encryption settings upon installation.

https://youtu.be/TJzfaqRLfpY Windows is a full operating system, while Plasma is a Desktop Environment. Now sort out the confusion that has been created. Explain them that the underlying GNU/Linux is different to Windows.

I do understand that your intentions were good and your effort is praiseworthy but the result is not very good IMHO. Please don't take this personally, because it's not a personal issue.

Plasma with Windows-like theming on the Community's YouTube Channel is a very questionable idea, to say the least. Same applies to https://peertube.mastodon.host/videos/watch/230457b7-ebd2-4058-a23b-24d08201a9e3

Proceed as you see fit but I suggest taking down the video and uploading one with a similar core message but pointing out that GNU/Linux is not Windows and use a vanilla Breeze theme.

Please understand that the Windows users still on 7 are very likely to be quite averse to change. That means getting them to switch operating systems is also quite the challenge. Having a theme that apes the look of Windows 7 helps significantly with convincing them to switch to Linux.

Also IMHO casual consumers should be able to easily understand the concept of a desktop environment being separate from the underlying OS. Most of them are already exposed to Android, where the different manufacturer skins are analogous to DEs. Explain it to them like that and they'll get it fairly quickly; I've done that numerous times before and it has never failed yet.

In T12444#217286, @linuxpusher wrote:

Please understand that the Windows users still on 7 are very likely to be quite averse to change. That means getting them to switch operating systems is also quite the challenge. Having a theme that apes the look of Windows 7 helps significantly with convincing them to switch to Linux.

Also IMHO casual consumers should be able to easily understand the concept of a desktop environment being separate from the underlying OS. Most of them are already exposed to Android, where the different manufacturer skins are analogous to DEs. Explain it to them like that and they'll get it fairly quickly; I've done that numerous times before and it has never failed yet.

I understand you but it looks like Unfair Use to me. Have you consulted https://ev.kde.org/?

In T12444#217307, @raddison wrote:

In T12444#217286, @linuxpusher wrote:

Please understand that the Windows users still on 7 are very likely to be quite averse to change. That means getting them to switch operating systems is also quite the challenge. Having a theme that apes the look of Windows 7 helps significantly with convincing them to switch to Linux.

Also IMHO casual consumers should be able to easily understand the concept of a desktop environment being separate from the underlying OS. Most of them are already exposed to Android, where the different manufacturer skins are analogous to DEs. Explain it to them like that and they'll get it fairly quickly; I've done that numerous times before and it has never failed yet.

I understand you but it looks like Unfair Use to me. Have you consulted https://ev.kde.org/?

Why do you think that it is Unfair Use, precisely @raddison? Aesthetic looks aren't copyrightable anyways.

"Unfair use" of what exactly?

I understand you but it looks like Unfair Use to me. Have you consulted https://ev.kde.org/?

To folks who doesn't understand what (un)fair use is: some kind of content appropriation to avoid copyright infringement claims. Wikipedia has a dedicated page for contributors‎ on explaining this concern.

User-generated content (in this case custom themes) does not always guarantee originality and fair use. In this case themes that are used in the days of Plasma 4 / Trinity DE should be offered to Win7 users looking for aesthetics.

FYI:

What is not copyrightable?
– titles, names, short phrases, and slogans;
– familiar symbols or designs;
– mere variations of typographic ornamentation, lettering, or coloring;
– mere listings of ingredients or contents
– Ideas, procedures, methods, systems, processes, concepts, principles, discoveries, or devices
– Common information such as calendars, measurement charts, TV guides
– Government or legal documents

https://myows.com/blog/copyright-basics-for-graphic-designers-part-1/

What is NOT Covered by Copyright Law:
[...] Familiar shapes or designs, and mere variations of typographical ornamentation, lettering, or coloring, are not copyrightable.

https://www.printmag.com/design-education/online-design-courses/copyright-basics-for-graphic-designers/

You cannot copyright a common design, pattern or symbol already available and used in the public such as a stop sign or traffic signal. Designs that embellish useful articles must serve more than a practical or functional purpose to qualify for copyright protection of the design.

https://legalbeagle.com/5013155-copyright-design.html

You cannot even copyright the design of clothes, so imagine how laughable the idea that you can copyright the look of graphical environment is.

Finally, "Unfair Use" is not a thing. "Fair Use" is (but it protects the users of copyrighted material, not the copyright holder), as is "Copyright Infringement", which is what I think you wanted to say, right @raddison?

AERO is the intellectual property of Microsoft. Only KDE e.V. can determine whether the use of AERO was appropriate or not under the given circumstances. I think the video is damaging the image of the KDE Community whether Fair Use is applicable or not. The video is well bellow the standards the KDE Community should be aspiring to. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It's just my opinion. It doesn't necessarily mean that I'm right. I just needed to let you know what I think. I cannot emphasize it enough that this is not a personal issue in any way, shape, or form.

In T12444#217368, @raddison wrote:

AERO is the intellectual property of Microsoft. Only KDE e.V. can determine whether the use of AERO was appropriate or not

You think we used Aero to make the video? Seriously?

You think we used Aero to make the video? Seriously?

I know exactly what you used. It's not even done properly. I could have done much better. Windows AERO is a design language. It doesn't matter what you used. Further discussions are probably pointless.

In T12444#217372, @raddison wrote:

I know exactly what you used. It's not even done properly. I could have done much better.

Then do it better. Prove us wrong.

@raddison is a troll, check his history. Sysadmin intervention may be needed.

The KDE Community wrote:

We describe how it was made here https://dot.kde.org/2020/01/08/plasma-safe-haven-windows-7-refugees (scroll down to the end). There has been a huge response to this theme, so we are considering creating a version of Plasma that will carry it by default. There are a few copyright hurdles we still have to figure out, though.

Jay Jeckel wrote:

Best looking windows I've ever seen on a linux distro, but someone needs to fix the windows' left-corner icon alignment; it should be vertically centered in the titlebar, not aligned to the top. I know that is a minor thing, but it makes one wonder what major issues are being ignored if they can't be bothered to fix something so simple.

The problem is twofold. If you think the legal aspect is a non-issue then why has The KDE Community stated that there are copyright hurdles that have to be figured out? It just doesn't add up.

Secondly, provided that the copyright hurdles will be figured out and Plasma will carry an extra theme mimicking Windows 7, then it's probably a good idea to have it done right. I might not be competent enough for the job but I'm fairly confident that such a person exists. We just need to track that person down.

If you think that I'm a troll, then by all means have my account shut down. But before you do, please make sure that you have thoroughly read and thought the whole thing through from the very top of the task to the bottom.

The problem is twofold. If you think the legal aspect is a non-issue then why has The KDE Community stated that there are copyright hurdles that have to be figured out? It just doesn't add up.

Because the author of the theme we used for the demonstration disappeared without specifying the license. We can use the theme for personal use and we can show it in a video, but we cannot repackage or distribute his files without his permission and we don't know how to contact him. The copyright hurdles are with the author of the theme, not with Microsoft.

If you think that I'm a troll, then by all means have my account shut down.

Yes, we are working on that. CWG has been informed and are considering your ban. We also have screenshots of all your interactions, just in case you decide to purge your comments like you have a habit of doing.