Roy Schestowitz <newsgroups@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> espoused:
> ____/ Mark S Bilk on Thursday 20 March 2008 11:25 : \____
>
>> On Mar 20, 1:36 am, a Linux advocate wrote:
>>> ... It is disgusting that people feel the need to start a smear
>>> campaign like this. Naturally this is done by windows lovers.
>>> Nobody else is so low on the evolution ladder.
>>
>> Most people who use MS-Windows are as evolved as anyone else
>> (although usually not well informed on computer matters). They are
>> in fact our prospective (non-paying) _customers_, i.e., Linux users
>> to be. So please don't insult them. Remember -- they visit this
>> newsgroup to learn about Linux and open-source software, and
>> to get started they need the help of people already using it.
>> That's us!
>>
>> On the other hand, the robotically programmed non-people who are
>> doing the smear campaigns, personal attacks, and floods of lies
>> against GNU/Linux on behalf of Microsoft are _not_ typical Windows
>> users. They are sociopaths -- people who harm others for sadism
>> or monetary rewards. They have no conscience, no morality,
>> no concern for the wellbeing of anyone but themselves. They want
>> us to attack normal Windows users, as that will put off those users
>> from trying Linux. Don't do what the sociopaths want you to do.
>
> Yes, I agree. No user can be accused of anything and patient advice is the only
> way to go. I still see people who are put off by elitist users in Linux IRC
> rooms -- those who haven't desire to help and _yes_... some of those people
> too are there to elevate their ego (maybe inferiority complex).
The IRC channels are quite interesting, sometimes they can be extremely
helpful, sometimes they offer short shrift indeed, sometimes there is no
response to a particular query because nobody knows. Often people are
directed to man pages, websites, or in the case of debian, the apt bot
is used to provide a "stock response" to a "stock question".
I have also seen, however, trolls come in with non-existent claims, much
as they do here. I recall one chap, running from an NT machine (nmapped
it), claiming that he ran Linux and that he'd got a virus and said virus
wouldn't let him shut down the machine. A couple of giveaways: 1) there
are no viable viruses, 2) he was unable to correctly state the cli
shutdown command or procedure.
When questioned... he left awfully quickly, and then shut down his net
access.
>
> It's important to place the blame with those who are responsible for the lies,
> the briberies and other form of misconduct. And yes, it exists indeed. Loads
> of it... some employees in Microsoft are genuinely good people, but their name
> gets ruined by a group that characterises itself as "the gang", accepts
> nothing other than itself (remember Amnesty Bins for iPods?) and even talks
> about "holy wars" against rivals like "f*ckin Google".
All major organisations are made up of internal networks which bear
little resemblance to organisation charts, typically formed of contacts
built up over many years. This is one reason why bussing in bungee
bosses to put "over the top" of units rarely has the right effect, it
takes a very long time to build up the networks, and they are vital to
succesful functioning.
>
> I once chatted with Matt Asay about this because neither of us think that
> Microsoft can ever change. The core is just filled with poison. It's like a
> mafia at the grain, surrounded by peasants, many of whom code overseas.
>
Culture change is possible, but it requires tough leadership, clear
goals, and a pitch to employees to make it clear that they will benefit,
how they will benefit, and so on.
--
| mark at ellandroad dot demon dot co dot uk |
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| Cola trolls: http://colatrolls.blogspot.com/ |
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