*nix literary style

[matthew]

I had wondered for some time why so many people in the linux/unix/bsd world also tend to be well versed in the liberal arts and why there are so many linguistically gifted (or at least highly proficient) among the *nix elite. This article has an interesting perspective.

http://fringe.davesource.com/Fringe/Computers/Unix/UNIX_Literary_Style.html

[23meg]

Good reading; it's hard not to observe the fact that the majority of *nix people are playful and witty with language. If you see the original "The Elements of Style" by Strunk and White, give it a read; it's very often referred to as the prime handbook that anyone who has some level of deep interaction with language in general should have. I do agree that it's a must read, but not for its pragmatic uses; it's full of dogmas and fixed ideas on how language should be utilized, and if you have any intention to step outside the established norms in language you're best advised to read it as a "what not to do" guide.

[matthew]

Good reading; it's hard not to observe the fact that the majority of *nix people are playful and witty with language.
And most love a good pun (and absolutely adore a bad one).

If you see the original "The Elements of Style" by Strunk and White I've got a copy on my bookshelf right next to me...I am a writer after all. I loved this article's author playing on that book to write this article, right down to his adaptation of the Strunk and White cover.

[23meg]

The IRC quote archive http://www.bash.org is full of good examples, if you can filter them out among the more conventionally "funny" quotes.

[fuscia]

they might just be the ones more likely to talk about it, appearing more numerous.