Political Ideology of Ubuntu, and any Linux OS

[RussianVodka]

I like to think of Linux as socialized medicine. It doesn't always have everything you need (just like Linux is missing some programs like Adobe Acrobat, some poorer countries with socialized medicine can't remove brain tumors), but as far as everyday use, Linux (and socialized medicine) are a superb alternative to having your well being depend on paying protection money (or what ever the mafia calls it) to large corporations.

[EvilMarshmallow]

You know, in some ways I'd say it's almost more like a religion than a political ideology.

• You have the fanatical extremists who want to march on Redmond and burn it to the ground (jk LaRoza) ...
• You have the elitists who think that they're better than everyone else because they've attained a certain "level of understanding" within the OS...
• You have the people who just use it because it's cool, but never get involved beyond more than a token contribution...
• You have endless arguments with people who don't see the same way (heathen Windows users!) ...
• And then of course you have those who just want to believe that there's something more than Microsoft when it comes to using their PC!

Yeah, all we need now is a couple of car bombs and protests outside a MS-sponsored trade show, and we'll be a religion!

Getting back on topic, I'd agree with the libertarian-socialist description; that's pretty accurate as far as I can tell.

[forrestcupp]

I kind of prefer to look at it as an operating system that performs tasks for us. It's not a religion or political movement. Just an operating system that makes my computer do things for me. It doesn't have spirituality, mentality, or emotions. It's made up of code. 1's and 0's. I use it to write posts on this forum among other tasks. I don't worship Linux or allow it to control my life. I control it to do what I want it to do.

[Kimm]

I like to think of Linux as socialized medicine. It doesn't always have everything you need (just like Linux is missing some programs like Adobe Acrobat, some poorer countries with socialized medicine can't remove brain tumors), but as far as everyday use, Linux (and socialized medicine) are a superb alternative to having your well being depend on paying protection money (or what ever the mafia calls it) to large corporations.

By "Socialized Medicine" I guess you mean tax-funded?
Its pretty wrong to claim that only poor countries use this system, and that it is limited. Sweden works this way and we have pretty much the worlds finest hospitals here

[LaRoza]

You know, in some ways I'd say it's almost more like a religion than a political ideology.

• You have the fanatical extremists who want to march on Redmond and burn it to the ground (jk LaRoza) ...
• You have the elitists who think that they're better than everyone else because they've attained a certain "level of understanding" within the OS...
• You have the people who just use it because it's cool, but never get involved beyond more than a token contribution...
• You have endless arguments with people who don't see the same way (heathen Windows users!) ...
• And then of course you have those who just want to believe that there's something more than Microsoft when it comes to using their PC!

Yeah, all we need now is a couple of car bombs and protests outside a MS-sponsored trade show, and we'll be a religion!

Getting back on topic, I'd agree with the libertarian-socialist description; that's pretty accurate as far as I can tell.

1. I was joking, Microsoft is a great gaming company, (XBox and such)
2. Anyone who thinks they are better than others because of knowledge is woefully sad. Knowledge should be spread freely.
3. Not anyone I know.
4. ...but I like crashes!
5. We all have to have hope...

I would suggest eliminating the car bomb reference, that is one part of one religion, most religions are good, even though certain people may at times do evil things in the name of religion.

Oh, by the way, I need some volunteers for a strike force on MS...

[RussianVodka]

By "Socialized Medicine" I guess you mean tax-funded?
Its pretty wrong to claim that only poor countries use this system, and that it is limited. Sweden works this way and we have pretty much the worlds finest hospitals here

I never claimed that [B]only/B] poor countries use the system, I just said that sometimes ultra expensive surgeries are not an option for some countries, just like ultra expensive software isn't an option for some people. Then again, just like you can have "free" brain surgery in many countries with socialized medicine, you can run Adobe Acrobat in Wine (also for free ).

But to be fair, if you live in a country with privatized medicine, like Windows, chances are you can't afford legit copies Adobe Acrobat (or a decent brain surgery), and so you're stuck being sick and nonproductive.

And that's my rant. I'm just so sick of having to pay $175 a month for my Universities health insurance (here in the US). And without it they won't let me attend. By god, I can't wait till I graduate and hopefully move to another country.

[raul_]

I put this thread in the "Humm. If Linux was a color, what would it be?" category

It is not, period.

It is not supposed to be. I think entering those discussions and saying things like "Kim Jong Il uses Linux", like I saw mentioned in the forums, it's meaningless and avoidable

[LaRoza]

"Kim Jong Il uses Linux"

Does he?

[Tmi]

Does he?

Would make more sense than using Windows

[LaRoza]

Would make more sense than using Windows

He is not known for making sense, but he can't be all bad. Sure, he screwed up his country, starved his people, was able to **** off his only ally (China) and is a risk for the region, but at least he uses Linux.

Overall, he must be a great human being,.