Has linux changed your ideals in life.

[StueyB]

Ok this may sound a strange question. Let me elaborate a little. I am a fairly recent convert to using Linux but have been a long standing supporter of what it tried to achieve, i.e. include everyone and exclude no one and do what you want with the code, should you wish to.

I am finding though that the ethos of all this is spurring me in directions I never thought of. For example, I am actively trying to reduce the amount of power we use in our house, looking at green alternatives, as well as trying to buy stuff from companies that have a clear and honest commitment to either the environment and or linux. Some things are more important than shaving $5 off a machine price, when that $5 was saved by dumping nasty chemicals from some plant in china right into the river.

Im finding myself also swayed towards a minimalistic life. Sure I have the big telly etc, but it no longer feels needed. Im kinda going "have laptop, will travel" I'm clearing house and freecycling all my spare PCs and components. I mean, I am no developer, I have no need of 4 machines. I have no need of most of the stuff that clutters my life to be honest. I would even give up my car if I could. Seeing I only live 5 miles from work, it seems scandalous that I feel a need to drive there. Biking would be green, free and keep me "alive" If only everybody could think like this.

I have also become aware of the "working to live" rather than "living to work" and money is becoming less and less important in my life. Thats not to say having it isn't useful, just I don't feel the need to spend anymore

To this end I am even contemplating researching more into Buddhism, for if the world lived by the 3 truths and the 5 points, the world would not be in half as much of a mess as it is now.

I realise its more than just the ideology of Linux, but it does, or does for me, open my eyes to potentially so much more. It really has begun my "thinking out the box"

My old Unix lecturer used to be what we called a wierdy beardy who wanted no part of polluting cars (rode to work every day) preached reuse, not only in code, but in technology and although his salary must have been at least $60,000 he had no trappings of wealth, save a watch. He didn't even own a mobile phone.

He to my mind now, makes a lot of sense.

I may be babbling, but I changed from Microsoft because I didn't like their Ethics. Ok the software is addictive, and I still use it at work, but Ubuntu at home, and every other machine because I believe in it and it is causing positive changes in my life. Anybody else find this?

[EdThaSlayer]

I kind of agree with you. I used to have a mobile phone and after it got stolen I never bought one again. Your teacher must have been quite good, just think how many trees or resources we could save if no one bought a car. But then again, just think of the many jobs there would be lost. Microsoft seems to be a company that likes s to deal "big" as in charging their products a lot for no real big reason(compare M$ ******* to Ubuntu gnu/linux, only thing that ******* has that Ubuntu gnu/linux doesn't is backup from hardware companies and game developers).

[Gargamella]

It has changed completely my life, from routine to ideals as you said.

I also spread it, so it means i really believe in it and I love to feel inside a project and to partecipate with it.

Andrea

[PriceChild]

No

[StueyB]

Well ok, I waffled a bit but I think it comes down to Linux, Ubuntu especially, promotes free thinking and creativity. It also give you the chance to be a part of someting

[matthew]

Actually, I chose Ubuntu because it more completely matched my ideals.

[Richard Kut]

Hello StueyB! I am encouraged to read all of the positive changes in your life. I have been using Linux in various flavors for over ten years now. In that time I have found that the use of Linux, and my exposure to it's ideals and it's community values, have reinforced feelings and tendencies which were already there, and broadened my thinking in the process, much as you describe.

I have always said that empires will rise and fall, laws will come and go, but we all inherently know right from wrong. And for me, Linux feels right.

[theslut]

I don't know if it's directly changed my lifestyle like yours but I think i've been living more like that for a while anyway. Don't have money, don't spend much, don't really want for anything.

Switching to linux has stopped me downloading every "useful" pirated application for windows and I don't think i use anything stolen in my linux box. I am very happy with the whole thing.

[Bagboy23]

It hasn't changed my life much either. Actually, it's made it a little more difficult, since the only time I use a computer is either primarily for work or just to watch a DVD. All other times my laptop is turned off.

[Pikestaff]

For me, it was more like... I started using Linux after my life ideals started changing. I wanted to support free software, open source and "the little guy", that's why I switched