Confessions of a Linux contrarian

[docus]

This morning I saw a huge billboard poster advertising Google Chrome. Seeing that poster sparked an involuntary, instinctive reaction in me - my inner contrarian leapt up and said, "Right, that's it! I'm deleting Chrome and finding a new browser as soon as I get home!"

Now, I know this is a totally irrational response. I just started using Chrome last week and I really like it - it's smooth, fast, and has a nice glossy sheen about it.

But I just hate it when things get too 'big'. I like the cottage-industry feel of independent Linux apps - each one carving out its own niche, trying to be the best app for a given job.

So now I'm trying out Midori and I'm really liking it. I love Epiphany too. Probably neither of these is objectively a 'good' as Chrome, but I get more subjective pleasure from using them.

Many would say, "Why wear a hair shirt? Why not just use the best tool for the job and be done with it?" I don't really know the answer, I'm just following my inner contrarian.

Anyone else see where I'm coming from, or am I just a lone hair-shirted contrarian?

P.S. This is ***NOT*** a Google bashing thread!

[Psumi]

So basically, if you saw a linux (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwL0G9wK8j4) commercial (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJ3eq_lKHFk) on (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJ3eq_lKHFk) TV (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwEWxpOWOok), you'd remove linux?

[mivo]

Anyone else see where I'm coming from, or am I just a lone hair-shirted contrarian?

I see where you are coming from, but don't understand why, with this mindset (which is fine, everyone chooses their own path), you are using Ubuntu. It is as mainstream as it gets when it comes to Windows.

[docus]

So basically, if you saw a linux (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwL0G9wK8j4) commercial (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJ3eq_lKHFk) on (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJ3eq_lKHFk) TV (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwEWxpOWOok), you'd remove linux?

Lol, yes, and then I'd install Haiku or some other equally inoperable system :D

Actually, no, but it would make my inner contrarian unhappy. Totally irrational, I know.

But I don't think I'm the only one who feel this way...

[docus]

I see where you are coming from, but don't understand why, with this mindset (which is fine, everyone chooses their own path), you are using Ubuntu. It is as mainstream as it gets when it comes to Windows.

True, but I'm only resting between distro-hops!

[mivo]

Wah, I have no idea why I wrote "Windows" when I meant "Linux". Note to self: Don't respond to posts when you're explaining Windows stuff to someone on the phone.

[docus]

Wah, I have no idea why I wrote "Windows" when I meant "Linux". Note to self: Don't respond to posts when you're explaining Windows stuff to someone on the phone.

Not to worry, I knew exactly what you meant ;)

[NoaHall]

So basically, if you saw a linux (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwL0G9wK8j4) commercial (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJ3eq_lKHFk) on (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJ3eq_lKHFk) TV (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwEWxpOWOok), you'd remove linux?

Argh! Where can I BUY THIS MAGICAL THING???? IS it ONLY FOR BIG COMPANIES???

[madnessjack]

stop being precious

I saw it in the newspaper. Google has the goods to change peoples minds. Please lets hope they do. More Chrome means less IE. That's GOTTA be a good thing! :P

[Xbehave]

TV (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwEWxpOWOok), you'd remove linux?
If it's good enough for the Emissary it's good enough for me.

on topic, the beauty of open source is that even if chrome starts being optimised for other situations by google it can still be optimised for your use by you/others like you

[Pogeymanz]

I get the same feeling sometimes. I usually don't let myself act on it, though. I guess I'm only part-contrarian.

[chucky chuckaluck]

i don't think your in danger of seeing a uzbl billboard any time soon.

[unknownPoster]

I believe IBM put out a few Linux commercials on TV a few years back, if you're going to be true to your philosophy I guess you should stop using Linux.

[ticopelp]

It depends on the motivation. Personally I think the notion that "nothing is good if other people like it" is pretty shallow if that's all there is to it. If you're genuinely bothered by something like Google's privacy policy or something, I think that's a sound reason not to use a product.

On the other hand, if it's important to your self-identity to be in what you feel is a special minority, personally I find that a bit lame. Abandoning things when they get successful is a poor way of showing support for things you like.

[docus]

I believe IBM put out a few Linux commercials on TV a few years back, if you're going to be true to your philosophy I guess you should stop using Linux.

Lol, I wouldn't want to call it a 'philosophy' as such - that's a bit grand. I was just reporting my instinctive reaction to the billboard, and then musing vaguely about preferring the vibe of smaller, more independent programs, even though that's not particularly rational.

Perhaps I'm the only one foolish and pretentious enough to feel this way, or at least to admit to feeling this way :D

[docus]

It depends on the motivation. Personally I think the notion that "nothing is good if other people like it" is pretty shallow if that's all there is to it. If you're genuinely bothered by something like Google's privacy policy or something, I think that's a sound reason not to use a product.

On the other hand, if it's important to your self-identity to be in what you feel is a special minority, personally I find that a bit lame. Abandoning things when they get successful is a poor way of showing support for things you like.

Of course you're right, and now I feel a bit sheepish :sniff:

I must be punished - I know, I'll stuff more hair in my hair shirt, and maybe some self-flagellation!

[ticopelp]

Of course you're right, and now I feel a bit sheepish :sniff:

I must be punished - I know, I'll stuff more hair in my hair shirt, and maybe some self-flagellation!

Haven't you heard? Everybody's doing hair shirts these days... I even saw a commercial for one :D

[Psumi]

Argh! Where can I BUY THIS MAGICAL THING???? IS it ONLY FOR BIG COMPANIES???

lol, didn't you see the link when you click "TV"? It said that it was given away for free.

[Keyper7]

I like to call this "The Reverse Sheep Syndrome". Someone wants so much to be different, that in the efforts to do so he, without realizing, ends being more manipulated by the media than the average person.

[Pogeymanz]

Perhaps I'm the only one foolish and pretentious enough to feel this way, or at least to admit to feeling this way :D

You're just the only one willing to admit to it.

[LinuxFanBoi]

It depends on the motivation. Personally I think the notion that "nothing is good if other people like it" is pretty shallow if that's all there is to it. If you're genuinely bothered by something like Google's privacy policy or something, I think that's a sound reason not to use a product.

On the other hand, if it's important to your self-identity to be in what you feel is a special minority, personally I find that a bit lame. Abandoning things when they get successful is a poor way of showing support for things you like.

There is a mentality whereby people believe that if others are doing the same thing you are, you are no longer special. It's okay to feel that way, it's just not good to wear it on your sleeve, as this can make a person seem very arrogant.

[Zoot7]

This morning I saw a huge billboard poster advertising Google Chrome. Seeing that poster sparked an involuntary, instinctive reaction in me - my inner contrarian leapt up and said, "Right, that's it! I'm deleting Chrome and finding a new browser as soon as I get home!"

Now, I know this is a totally irrational response. I just started using Chrome last week and I really like it - it's smooth, fast, and has a nice glossy sheen about it.

But I just hate it when things get too 'big'. I like the cottage-industry feel of independent Linux apps - each one carving out its own niche, trying to be the best app for a given job.

So now I'm trying out Midori and I'm really liking it. I love Epiphany too. Probably neither of these is objectively a 'good' as Chrome, but I get more subjective pleasure from using them.

Many would say, "Why wear a hair shirt? Why not just use the best tool for the job and be done with it?" I don't really know the answer, I'm just following my inner contrarian.

Anyone else see where I'm coming from, or am I just a lone hair-shirted contrarian?

P.S. This is ***NOT*** a Google bashing thread!
I must admit I echo those sentiments somewhat, however I wouldn't shun a product because it's popular though.
But I have always got a kick about being unique in most walks of life. :)

[squilookle]

You are not the only one. I've had the thoughts myself but never uninstalled something because of it...

I think the fact some people do feel this way is the reason some established linux users give new users a hard time. I also think it is the reason that many users are so quick to criticise ubuntu, either because of some problems after a new release, or because they eel elements of it dumb things down. (Like the softwar centre, or the handling of restricted drivers).

people follow these ideas to different extremes. Some might be awful to and risk alienating new comers. Others like the original poster in this thread hurt noone, but might be shooting themselves in the foot by using software that is not as good - and in the process/long term might be helpng these projects out. Midori probably needs new users now more than chrome does,if it to improve.

You just have to use what you're happy using.

[docus]

Haven't you heard? Everybody's doing hair shirts these days... I even saw a commercial for one :D

Right, that's it! [Tears off shirt] I'm going topless from now on, in all weather!