[NCLUG] Re: Thoughts on Linux Users

[Paul Hummer]

>
>    1. You probably would rather learn on your own than be taught.
>   
I appreciate being taught multiple ways.  When I learned about prefix 
notation, I thought that every high school should teach prefix, infix, 
and postfix notation.  Some minds think differently
>    2. You've probably had a "not-too-good" experience using Windows.
>   
Only as many as my "not-too-good" linux experiences.  However, using 
linux has helped me be a little more patient with buggy software.  Hell, 
my wm of choice is E17 which is "not even alpha  software" yet.
>    3. You probably seek out others who'd rather depend on their own
>       solutions to computer needs than buy the "fool safe" version of
>       software or hardware.
>   
I think many of us are picky.  I don't know how many times I've written 
or modified a tool or utility that was already available, merely because 
I wanted it to do it my way.
>    4. You probably like gadgets, and if they are powered by Linux so
>       much the better.
>   
Guilty.
>    5. You don't want to wade through "menus" of pap to do a simple task
>       AND you don't want to be limited to one way of doing the tasks you
>       undertake on computers.
>   
Agreed.  I like to be able to dig around a little.  I used to work in a 
primarily Windows shop, and I spent HOURS trying to master all of the 
different caveats to the Windows registry.  /etc, on the other hand, is 
fairly easy to figure out, and for the most part, I can get information 
on the files with man rather than the Google.
>    6. You don't want your operating system taken over by unknown updates
>       and dependencies that you cannot predetermine.
>   
Agreed.  However, I usually turn off the updates on my Windows systems 
or VMs.
>    7. And you simply "hate" the idea that jack-booted software police
>       can enter your business and steal you machines off your desktops,
>       pronounce you only 80% compliant with software licenses, fine you
>       and collect judgments and legal costs in an excess of $70,000 as
>       they did from Ernie Ball Manufacturing.   This was accomplished
>       under the direction and supervision of Microsoft lawyers and the
>       County Sheriff in California, USA!
>   
This is true.  I used to spend hours downloading cracked apps from AOL 
user groups on my 56K connection.  There was always the fear of being 
caught (as a 12 year old) and being shipped off the jail for stealing a 
copy of VB 3.0
> If you find that any of these characteristics apply to you, then you
> might be a Linux User. 
>   
Sounds like a slew of jokes could be made up similar to Jeff Foxworthy's 
"You Might Be A Redneck"
> Even with the animosity I have for Windows, I still have to use Windows
> (or Apple OSX) for my VectorWorks drafting program for my business.  So
>   

This is understandable.  As a web developer, I have a Mac so I can  work 
with Flash.  It's comforting to have a bit of the Unix feel, but it also 
reminds me just how great Linux is (I left Windows 'cause I got tired of 
the idea of "Shareware")