Slashdot Mirror
Changing Face of Linux?
standards writes "Reuters is reporting that pony-tailed Linux Users have been seen mingling with executives in short-sleeved golf shirts. The article suggests that real technology guys don't wear shorts, T-shirts or baseball caps." the article is mostly about the business focus of Linux these days, although I think the writer is a couple years late since I think this was really the case about 4 LinuxWorld's ago ;)
the article is mostly about the business focus of Linux these days, although I think the writer is a couple years late since I think this was really the case about 4 LinuxWorld's ago ;)
;)
If so, doesn't this mean Slashdot is ALSO a couple years late with this story
I really don't think the "appel of Linux" has anything to do w/alternative PHYSICAL appearances.
.02
The draw of Linux is speed, stability, cost.
"Hippy hackers" aren't necessary going to come w/the product. Those that have already been working for a company that is going to begin using it are going to either a) already be familiar with it or b) will become familiar with it.
"Linux-geeks" are growing-up just the same as the actual OS itself. That's why we are seeing more and more in the real-world.
Just my worthless
Are you sure? I opened up this here linux package, and now I've got this big hairy bear shambling around my living room, going "Gnuuuuu, gnuuuuu...." ;)
~REZ~ #43301. Who'd fake being me anyway?
Being a geek used to be bad (80s) then trendy (90s) and now it is seen as necessary.
My beliefs do not require that you agree with them.
Actually, I have been everything from the guy who administers the servers while sitting in an air-conditioned room eating Doritos to a desktop support manager to a technical lead for project teams to a consultant supporting external employees. In every case I interacted with clients.
As it stands, I'd rather keep my dignity and do a job that can be respected than sell my soul like that.
Funny, I haven't changed, I still have my dignity, and I have a hell of a lot of fun in my job. I usually wear Dockers and a polo shirt, my hair isn't particularly short, but it is well groomed. Currently I'm a senior technology consultant. My job can be respected, my customers save money and implement better systems because of me. Some of the implement Linux because of me. Or is it somehow not respectable to provide expertise to people who don't have it? What is the open source business model? It's about providing services rather than intellectual property.
As a consultant, I can understand how your appearance would make a difference, though.
My first job in IT was as a help desk technician for a small ISP. I did that part time while I went to college. The owner expected decent appearance as well as ability. It's been that way ever since. It's not "as a consultant" that appearance makes a difference, it's in general. It is a matter of perception by employers, co-workers and customers. No matter the old saw about not judging a book by it's cover, perception and appearance is reality.
In my universe I'm perfectly normal, it's not my fault you don't live in my universe.
Well in the corp I work for, a dress code is mandatory. Sure, it's business casual but that does imply collered shirts and pressed slacks.
Sure, some of those dudes have the classic pony-tail and guru beard, but the clothing doesn't make the man. Hawaiian shirt or not, the guy in the polo and dockers is just as big of a loser as the rest of us.
Wait a minute...
What is music when you despise all sound?
Really?
(/me looks down at shorts and "Got Root?" t-shirt, as well as Teva sandals)
Hmm, guess I must not be a "real technology guy".
Seriously, who do these people think they're kidding? There will *always* be a contingent of us who wear shorts and t-shirts, and quite frankly we don't *care* what other people think of that.
To conclude, I leave you with a quote:
Nathan's blog
Strange how fashion at times has come down to un-practicality, proving chic-ness and how rich you are by how impractical your actions are.
Blue bloods were called that because they were so pale that their veins showed through their skin. They weren't like the field workers, out in the sun all day, and they wanted to prove it. Now that normal jobs are inside and not outside, I find it a bit ironic now that having a tan now is chic, showing that you're not stuck inside all day.
A couple Halloweens back I had one of those long frilly shirts (don't ask) with the lace on the cuffs. I was thinking as I wore it, I'd end up ripping them to shreds or accidentally killing myself if I wore it regularly. Totally impractival. But it proves I don't have to do anything, I have servants to do it. How cool I am!!
What is so bad about slacks and polo shirts? I like jeans like everybody else, but after 10-12 hours in front of a keyboard the jeans stretch and look like crap. At least dockers look the same way by the time you are out of the office.
Plus let's be realistic. Until you own the business, somebody else is going to set the rules. It is obvious that if you are going to spend the day laying down ethernet cables and shifting racks and PCs it is completely retarded to force you to wear slacks, but if you know that for the whole day you are going to be playing meetings jockey or sitting at your desk answering emails and phone calls, then the slacks don't hurt.
At my previous job we got rid of the dress code and let managers set it to whatever. Within operations we let the production guys wear shorts, since they were spending the whole day lugging around video equipment. Everybody else was free to wear whatever they pleased as long as:
1. It was clean.
2. It was not torn, ragged, etc.
3. If it had any text printed it was a neutral messsage ("F*ck Microsoft" was not tolerated, but "All Your Base are Belong to US" was ok, etc.)
4. You understood that with reasonable advance notice you will be required to dress up to business casual or full business attire (client visits, business trips, etc.).
When I started interviewing for my new job I noticed that new employers did not really care about wearing a suit for the interview. They told me it was too hot to make me wear a suit plus they trusted me as a professional to know when and how to dress up. My current dress code: geek casual (dockers and golf shirts). The owner could care less as long as you don't walk into the office in flip flops and a mesh top, but he cares about our investors and clients walking into the office and see us looking like total slobs.
And yeah, I play golf too.
Pedro
----
The Insomniac Coder
NB: joke... I keep it in a ponytail, outside the comfort & security of my own home...
"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." -- Goethe
Yeah, but now we have showers, and running hot water, which do help. I used to buzz my hair, because combing it was a pain. Now I'm letting it grow, because keeping it cut was a pain. And I have a beard because shaving is a pain. I'll bet a lot of other long-haired, bearded professionals have a similar reason: the less you have to do to be ready for work when you wake up in the morning, the better.
The casual mention of MS's booth at LWE really pleased me. Yeah, just another company making Linux credible to the business types. No mention of any MS FUD or speculation on their possible ulterior motives. Just the bald fact: they were there, lending credibility. Somehow, I doubt that's the spin MS wanted (though I'm sure they were aware it was a possibility).
The rest of the article was pretty mundane, but no worse than I'd expect from the mainstream press (as opposed to industry press). Yeah, we've had suits at the shows for years, but the reputation of a system for "freaks and geeks" is still alive. Yeah, they got a few details wrong, but that's the press for ya. But the oh-so casual mention of MS I liked.
Some software is created just for fun. Other software is created to insure that you have control of your computer. Don't confuse "commercialism" with the evil practices of current commercial software vendors. They are stupid and will be replaced. Much software created just for fun is of great use to all of us becuse it was licensed as free. Go visit clarity to learn what why and how.
Friends don't help friends install M$ junk.