[ale] I am so tired of Linux Fanatics

[jrtroberts]

This venting is from my experience on the freenode ##linux channel

Being a new user to Linux I am feeling very militant at the moment.  I 
wouldn't mind a live internet feed featuring the torture and death of 
smug, violent, self righteous Linux fanatics that attack the least bit 
of ignorance from a new user. If I knew of a way to put an end to it I 
would, but sadly I don't.  (well maybe non-violent communication).  I 
know this self-righteous attitude is also a part of any 'camp' be it 
windows, mathematics, OS X, science, gaming.  There are those that 
believe that somehow they are superior for understanding something that 
is seen as complex to others, and even though they were most likely 
taught by someone else, they refuse to politely offer information.

They have to intimidate, undermine the efforts of, and nearly obliterate 
the self confidence of any new user who does not understand what is 
going on in the linux world.  Honestly it makes me ill, and I almost 
don't want to be a part of the linux community because of it.

The OS is too complicated and granular for even advanced Windows users 
to step into quickly.  The manuals can be a  vast, sparsely written, 
codex of geek speak that requires an interpreter for most non-geek 
non-technical users to understand.  Combine this with the attitudes of 
many linux users and it makes learning about this fabulous operating 
system feel like walking across a room full of broken glass.  Added to 
the mix is  the fact that linux is still not a user friendly environment 
for non-hackers and non-geeks and you still need to be able to handle 
CLI's comfortably to use the operating system effectively.

All of the issues with windows, its licenses, the costs, the crashes and 
memory leaks, the backroom deals, etc. and the effect they can have on a 
person is more than matched by the vehemence that these over zealous 
weasels and their neolithic territorial pissing grounds, marking their 
virtual domains and attacking anyone who doesn't meet with their 
standards.  They are like hellish gatekeepers to a cyber garden of eden.

I know this rant probably resembles a temper tantrum from an enraged 3rd 
grader, but it has really gotten to the point that I am discouraged from 
exploring any further into this operating system.  I am beginning to 
hate it because of the blind hatred many linux users have for 'Newbs' or 
people that are green or curious yet ignorant.  And that hatred and 
these attacks are coloring my view of linux.  And I am the founder of a 
Pro Linux group at my former college, which adds to the sick feeling in 
my gut.

Anyway I am feeling better after having vented, maybe I will feel better 
if I actually post this.  Maybe I will also be scathed by ALE members 
and have to restrain my self from getting into a shouting match with 
someone in ALE that takes offense to this letter of disgruntlement, 
however poor the grammar and badly written.

I think that I am so upset because I go out of my way to help others, no 
matter how simple the task, or how complicated.  I rarely get annoyed 
when help others use a computer because I understand that it is a very 
unnatural act.  Not everyone is wired with the problem solving 
capabilities and innate curiosity needed to dig into a computer and 
learn how to work with it, not just use it.  As such I use patience and 
tolerance, but I don't tolerate people who attack those that are less 
fortunate or less educated on a topics.  It is immature, selfish, and 
counter productive.


Grrrr!! what a pain in the ass.


Joshua Roberts