Re: [PLUG] microsoft lost

["Michael W. Ryan" <mryan@netaxs.com>]

On Thu, 6 Apr 2000, Bill Jonas wrote:

> I agree to a point (the last point remains to be seen);

I didn't know about the premiere release of Nav6 when I made that
statement.  I'm willing to reserve judgement there.

> the free
> software is a better choice since you get the source code.  Think of
> source availability as an extra feature.

Oh, definitely, with everything else equal.  If things aren't equal, that
depends on where the disparity is.

> >Technology is no substitute for manners.
> 
> Could you clarify this?  I agree with your statement as it stands by
> itself, but there is a leap from my statement to your reply that I'm
> just not seeing.  Are you referring to the need for politeness even
> though one can just killfile a thread?

Yes, I am.

> If I may be so bold, what is it that you do at your job?  Do you do
> training?  Provide support and/or planning for those who do?  Work for
> clients?

My primary job is to support our four training classrooms and any on-site
classes that need it.  I also do some training as our schedule requires
and my work load allows.

> "All operating systems suck, some just suck less than others."  :)

Yeah, that about sums it up.

> I could relate a couple of third-party anecdotes about Linux users being
> insulted by Microsoft bigots (referring to those individuals only, and
> not people with an association with Microsoft in general, of course),
> but such male-genital waggling seems hardly productive or necessary at
> this point.  Suffice it to say, I believe I hear you saying that you
> observe this behavior much more often among Linux users/community than
> with other OSs?

First, doesn't matter which side of the fence the insults come from;
they're wrong either way.

I've never really tried to weight who slings more insults.  I'm only
really worried when they come from the Linux side.  Why?  Because I care
about Linux, and I want to see it do well and improve.  Linux, as the
underdog, can't, IMHO, afford to make more enemies than necessary.  Am I
saying to sleep with Microsoft?  No.  I'm saying that we should be careful
not to drive away people who might've otherwise been receptive if we
hadn't insulted them.

> Anyway, I hope I haven't alienated you.  You are an outstanding debater,
> IMO, and you're sharpening me.  I'm sorry to have caused you so much
> grief.

I think we already determined that. :) For those not at the meeting last
night, Bill and I shook hands and made sure there were no hard feelings.

Michael W. Ryan, MCP, MCT     | OTAKON 2000
mryan@netaxs.com              | Convention of Otaku Generation
http://www.netaxs.com/~mryan/ | http://www.otakon.com/

PGP fingerprint: 7B E5 75 7F 24 EE 19 35  A5 DF C3 45 27 B5 DB DF
PGP public key available by fingering mryan@unix.netaxs.com (use -l opt)


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