Rabid Linux "fans" threating users is unacceptable

[matthekc]

Two major Linux stories made the news in the last few months in which somebody was "wrong about Linux". These people may not have understood Linux and perhaps they cast a bad light on it. That's acceptable people are not always going to understand. They may need some help to use Linux or even understand how software can be free.
What is unacceptable is that in both of these cases the "fans" of Linux are drowning out the positive message with negativity. Worse yet they are threatening and belittling people. The community I have seen in the last two months is not one I recognize nor would I want to be associated with it.
If you E-mail somebody in Linux advocacy mode keep it professional. If the E-mails and message coming from the community continues to be negative we will scare away new and existing Linux users. If you need to vent a little that's what Digg comments are for.

The teacher who simply didn't know you could get a free OS actually felt threatened
http://linuxlock.blogspot.com/2008/1...s-aint-us.html

The college student who didn't know she didn't have to use the dial-up CD or how to use open office. Received comments as ugly as you don't deserve a degree.
http://www.wkowtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=9682258

I'm going to put this on Digg lets sent a community message loud and clear that is unacceptable behavior.

[matthekc]

http://digg.com/linux_unix/Rabid_Lin...s_unacceptable

[ushimitsudoki]

I agree. It's unacceptable to mock or harass people because they are ignorant.

If someone is ignorant, the proper thing to do is politely and courteously try to educate them. If they aren't interested, then walk away.

It's never OK to mock or belittle people, even if they are doing it to you -- and I don't think the people in the links were doing so (In fact, I don't believe Helios' teacher story at all, but assuming it is true for this discussion).

It's more than just making Linux/Ubuntu look bad or scaring off new users - it's common human decency.

[TenPlus1]

Well said ushimitsudoki...

[jrusso2]

Originally Posted by matthekc Two major Linux stories made the news in the last few months in which somebody was "wrong about Linux". These people may not have understood Linux and perhaps they cast a bad light on it. That's acceptable people are not always going to understand. They may need some help to use Linux or even understand how software can be free. What is unacceptable is that in both of these cases the "fans" of Linux are drowning out the positive message with negativity. Worse yet they are threatening and belittling people. The community I have seen in the last two months is not one I recognize nor would I want to be associated with it. If you E-mail somebody in Linux advocacy mode keep it professional. If the E-mails and message coming from the community continues to be negative we will scare away new and existing Linux users. If you need to vent a little that's what Digg comments are for. The teacher who simply didn't know you could get a free OS actually felt threatened http://linuxlock.blogspot.com/2008/1...s-aint-us.html The college student who didn't know she didn't have to use the dial-up CD or how to use open office. Received comments as ugly as you don't deserve a degree. http://www.wkowtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=9682258 I'm going to put this on Digg lets sent a community message loud and clear that is unacceptable behavior.

You don't have to travel far to find this behavior. Its rampant. Just read testimonials and experiences in this forum and read the negative posts about Ubuntu or Linux and see how the new users are treated.

[matthekc]

It's unfortunate she didn't find a Linux users group or a Linux user in the schools IT program to help her. I don't know about her school but our IT program has a few Linux users and a couple of Linux aware teachers. So she went to a consumer advocacy group at her local news. This should have been the end of it but the reporters story didn't wait for the happy ending which did occur.

Maybe the situation was a little foolish perhaps buying a product your completely unfamiliar with to help you get through school is unwise.
The Linux community did fail her and then it attacked her. She could have resolved her issues from these very forums but somehow dell was unable to help her or guide her here. Her school most likely has a competent Linux user but she was unable to find one. For all our advocacy and claiming we want new users this seems like a complete failure.

There should be a Lug at every major college but for some reason there isn't maybe we just are not as motivated as we claim. I know a few Linux users at my college but there is no Lug perhaps I failed this girl as well.

[jenkinbr]

Originally Posted by matthekc It's unfortunate she didn't find a Linux users group or a Linux user in the schools IT program to help her. I don't know about her school but our IT program has a few Linux users and a couple of Linux aware teachers. So she went to a consumer advocacy group at her local news. This should have been the end of it but the reporters story didn't wait for the happy ending which did occur. Maybe the situation was a little foolish perhaps buying a product your completely unfamiliar with to help you get through school is unwise. The Linux community did fail her and then it attacked her. She could have resolved her issues from these very forums but somehow dell was unable to help her or guide her here. Her school most likely has a competent Linux user but she was unable to find one. For all our advocacy and claiming we want new users this seems like a complete failure. There should be a Lug at every major college but for some reason there isn't maybe we just are not as motivated as we claim. I know a few Linux users at my college but there is no Lug perhaps I failed this girl as well.

The article posted by the OP states that the school disterict runs over 100 linux servers, and uses FOSS on both Windows and Mac images.

[bapoumba]

Oh.. Not sure what to do with half of this thread.
I'm closing for now, please be patient, I'd like some additional input from the Staff. Thanks.

[bapoumba]

9 posts were removed. I've also removed posts quoting the ones going to be deleted. Editing them out would not make any sense.
Please keep the discussion constructive, thanks.

Thread reopened.

[matthekc]

Wrong or right the community needs to have this discussion out. For better or worse we need to decide to support everyone or slow Linux adoption. I think even objectionable comments should stay.
If we don't have this conversation we will keep having these media events which are worse than an ugly thread.