Re: What Was Your Experience When You First Started Using Linux?

From: David (dwmoar_at_findmoore.net)
Date: 02/17/05 

Date: Wed, 16 Feb 2005 20:59:28 -0800

Mark L. Cooper wrote:
> JoJo,
>
>
>>Why so many hostile and defensive people? My post was made in good faith,
>>and basically asking for help. Why attack me? My post was not an attack in
>>any way.
>
>
>
> I've found that most Linux newsgroups are populated by a core group of
> people that live/breath/use Linux as much because they hate Windows as
> because it can get the job done.

pure bull *** here

They are willing to re-invent the wheel
> just because they can. They seem to enjoy the process more than the end
> result.
>
> These people will spend more bandwidth berating you for how you post/phrase
> questions than they would by answering your question in the first place.
> They KNOW what you are saying/asking. They've all been there. They expect
> you to pay your dues by figuring things out yourself. So what if it takes 3
> days vs the 10 minutes if they answered your question.

People learn by doing. I have a friend and every time he wants to do
something or change something he always calls me first and asks if I know
how this or that works. The first question I ask is did you try to find
the answer yourself or did you read the manual for an answer. What do you
think his response is. NO, I thought you might know. He or you can read and
learn just as easy as I can do it. Why as me first and expect me to or
anyone on this list to answer your question like how do I clear the print
buffer, if you are not willing to try to find the answer yourself first.
That is just plain lazy on your behalf. If you are not willing to put forth
a effort, I am not going to give anyone the sweat off my nuts. Do your
homework first and if you still can not figure out the problem, than ask!
use smart questions. Tell what you have done first or what is not working
after you have done x, y or z.

>
> I am an independent computer consultant. I have been around computers since
> I built my first computer in 1977. I've dealt with Apple II+, CP/M, MP/M,
> DOS....up through Windows XP, and Server 2003. I am currently a Windows
> network administrator for several small companies and government agencies.
> My specialty is setting up a network that is easy to administer and uses
> standard retail store hardware.

ok so we are all impressed. I am a microwave radio repairman. I been using
computer just as long - SO WHAT!

>
> I got into Linux because I was looking for a configurable firewall. I did
> not want to get involved with a proprietary firewall/internet appliance.

Oh does that mean that Windows can do it better, but you have to pay for
it? oops nope you use Linux because it is stable and FREE!!

I
> ended up settling on Red Hat 9 on a $500 Windows XP computer from the local
> retail store. By the time I got that working, RH9 had been dropped and
> Fedora Core 1 was born. My backup firewall is Fedora Core 2 based, on
> another $500 Windows XP based PC. I'm about to go live with the FC2 box with
> Shorewall, Squid, and Webmin. It has been a constant battle compared to my
> Windows experience. I'm battling poor documentation, poor examples, arrogant
> 'experts', etc.

>
> I am also a Visual Objects (read dBase/Clipper descendent) programmer. I am
> a member of the Visual Objects newsgroup. Those people are a joy to work
> with. Even though it is 'Us' vs 'MS Visual Basic' (read Linux vs Windows),
> they are cooperative, friendly, and helpful. We have newsgroup members from
> all over the globe. The 'experts' are NOT condescending. They welcome
> newbies into the fold. They make them feel welcome. They post code snippets
> to help out others. Some have been known to respond to a question by
> starting out with RTFM, but they go on to summarize the solution and give
> good sound advice. None of the petty childishness you see on the typical
> Linux NG. The VO people seem to realize that they were all newbies at one
> time. They also realize that they may be the next one to post a 'stupid'
> question.
>
> In summary, I stuck with Linux because it is the only way to get the job
> done that I was trying to accomplish.

"they hate Windows because it can get the job done." hmmm which is it ?
Are you saying Linux can do something that Windows can't???

I can not in good faith recommend
> Linux on the desktop in a work environment in the US at this time. It is
> generally less expensive to purchase a PC w/Windows XP installed than it is
> to build one from scratch or purchase one built to specs w/out an OS.

FUD FUD FUD and more FUD

  You get a one year on-site warranty from most vendors to boot.
Yeah, Right just call M$ for that one.

>
> Just my 2 cents,
May I have my 1.9 cents back please.

> Mark
>
> By the way, I HATE that 'No Top Posting' crap.

Well become the forum leader of you own message base and run it anyway you
want than! Get use to it as that is the way almost all message bases are ran

  If I'm following a thread, I want the meat of the answer up front. I hate
scrolling down through 3 pages
> of replies to replies, just to find out the current poster's response was
> RTFM, ditto, or Yes.
>
>