[ale] I am so tired of Linux Fanatics

[Scott McBrien]

I will say that you shouldn't judge all channels on freenode by your experience.  I spend a fair amount of time in #rhel, and for the most part, if you've done a little bit of research on your own, are asking for help on the right distro, and provide the answers to diagnostic questions, they're pretty reasonable.  Sure, there's occasionally a sidebar on bacon, but it's not an unwelcome change of subject.

Like most clubs, or communities, it's about finding one that you enjoy and that attracts people with similar interests.

-Scott

On Jul 7, 2010, at 1:36 PM, jrtroberts <jrtroberts at gmail.com> wrote:

> 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
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