If nothing else, it will hopefully drive up the quality and quantity of good Linux documentation. While not all "certification guides" are the best manuals, I have found some that cover other technologies (Sun, Microsloth, Cisco, etc.) to be some of the more thorough resources on their respective topics. We may now see some cohesive set of docs for new linux users...
To open: please pardon the length of this post if it becomes lengthy...(the name says it all)
I find a few things disturbing about a number of the posts I've read regarding this issue, and the issue of "newbies" in general.
I have been "using" linux for about 3 years now. I am by no means an expert, but I am definately a strong supporter of the ideals and technology brought to the proverbial table by Linux.
HOWEVER
Here is the impression I receive when I read various articles, posts and other info at/. and other Linux advocacy sites:
1. The purpose of Linux is to provide a viable alternative to the current, bloated, closed-source commercial NOS offerings (NT, WIN2K, NOVELL, UNIX)
2. Linux is superior to all of the commercial operating systems because of the "open" and "collaberative" environment in which it is developed.
3. Therefore, Linux should be the server (possibly client) OS of choice for enterprise and business customers wanting to stay on the cutting edge of technology.
4. If you don't like Linux, you SUCK.
5. If you would like to learn how to use Linux, please be prepared to suffer through the coarse, rude, and sometimes humiliating "newbie" "Rite-of-Passage" which includes but is not limited to: degrading comments about one's technical abilities, degrading comments about one's ability to glean information from increadibly technical, usually outdated, and poorly cataloged documentation.
6. If you are not comfortable with #5, please don't use Linux, we don't want you anyway.
Oppose the implicit arguements of 1-3 w/ those of 4-6.
To clarify: I understand the fears of oversimplifying/overautomating to the point of uselessness and inefficency (run Win2K for an example). I am not suggesting that the Linux operating environment be significantly changed; I merely suggest that the documentation be enhanced in order to allow a larger section of potential users to come onboard the Linux ship.
For a community of users that claims among it's strengths openness, peer review, and public knowledge, the Linux usership is quite closed off and eliteist.
Ok, this story is amusing and sad, but does is it really entitled to such passionate responses?
IMHO these kids are merely reacting in a manner consistant with what I call the "the Spirit of Xmas" (Christmas without Christ) that is consistant with the level of commercialism attached to this season of oh-so-many-dollars-spent.
While I realize that the anti-religous zealots may be offended by my association of Jesus w/ Christmas *boggle*, the "spirit of christmas" spoken of in most of the previous posts died long ago...
I'll begin by admitting that I haven't followed this story as closely as I could have, but I have gleaned the major points.
The issue at stake seems to be one of trademark law. While I do agree that what Etoys.com has done may be underhanded and ethically flawed, they are legally in the right.
The trademark for EToys was aparently registered in 1990 (5 years before Etoy.com was started) by a third party to the current fiasco.* It was later purchased by Etoys.com. If this is true the following must also be true (barring the existence of a vast conspiracy on the part of the previous trademark owner & Etoys.com):
--The members of etoy.com had an equal opportunity to track down the owner of the etoys trademark and aquire it in order to protect themselves from this type of action. --The members of etoy.com also had the opportunity to register similar TLDs in order to protect their interests.
This being said, I cannot believe that this is a simple, cut & dried case of corporate victimization.
I sympathize with the members of etoy.com, but I don't find it justification for the childishness of DOS attacks, etc.
Slashdot Mirror
If nothing else, it will hopefully drive up the quality and quantity of good Linux documentation. While not all "certification guides" are the best manuals, I have found some that cover other technologies (Sun, Microsloth, Cisco, etc.) to be some of the more thorough resources on their respective topics. We may now see some cohesive set of docs for new linux users...
-@d
I find a few things disturbing about a number of the posts I've read regarding this issue, and the issue of "newbies" in general.
I have been "using" linux for about 3 years now. I am by no means an expert, but I am definately a strong supporter of the ideals and technology brought to the proverbial table by Linux.
HOWEVER
Here is the impression I receive when I read various articles, posts and other info at /. and other Linux advocacy sites:
1. The purpose of Linux is to provide a viable alternative to the current, bloated, closed-source commercial NOS offerings (NT, WIN2K, NOVELL, UNIX)
2. Linux is superior to all of the commercial operating systems because of the "open" and "collaberative" environment in which it is developed.
3. Therefore, Linux should be the server (possibly client) OS of choice for enterprise and business customers wanting to stay on the cutting edge of technology.
4. If you don't like Linux, you SUCK.
5. If you would like to learn how to use Linux, please be prepared to suffer through the coarse, rude, and sometimes humiliating "newbie" "Rite-of-Passage" which includes but is not limited to: degrading comments about one's technical abilities, degrading comments about one's ability to glean information from increadibly technical, usually outdated, and poorly cataloged documentation.
6. If you are not comfortable with #5, please don't use Linux, we don't want you anyway.
Oppose the implicit arguements of 1-3 w/ those of 4-6.
To clarify: I understand the fears of oversimplifying/overautomating to the point of uselessness and inefficency (run Win2K for an example). I am not suggesting that the Linux operating environment be significantly changed; I merely suggest that the documentation be enhanced in order to allow a larger section of potential users to come onboard the Linux ship.
For a community of users that claims among it's strengths openness, peer review, and public knowledge, the Linux usership is quite closed off and eliteist.
-@d
P.S. -- Please post flames here
Ok, this story is amusing and sad, but does is it really entitled to such passionate responses?
IMHO these kids are merely reacting in a manner consistant with what I call the "the Spirit of Xmas" (Christmas without Christ) that is consistant with the level of commercialism attached to this season of oh-so-many-dollars-spent.
While I realize that the anti-religous zealots may be offended by my association of Jesus w/ Christmas *boggle*, the "spirit of christmas" spoken of in most of the previous posts died long ago...
-@d
I'll begin by admitting that I haven't followed this story as closely as I could have, but I have gleaned the major points.
The issue at stake seems to be one of trademark law. While I do agree that what Etoys.com has done may be underhanded and ethically flawed, they are legally in the right.
The trademark for EToys was aparently registered in 1990 (5 years before Etoy.com was started) by a third party to the current fiasco.* It was later purchased by Etoys.com. If this is true the following must also be true (barring the existence of a vast conspiracy on the part of the previous trademark owner & Etoys.com):
--The members of etoy.com had an equal opportunity to track down the owner of the etoys trademark and aquire it in order to protect themselves from this type of action.
--The members of etoy.com also had the opportunity to register similar TLDs in order to protect their interests.
This being said, I cannot believe that this is a simple, cut & dried case of corporate victimization.
I sympathize with the members of etoy.com, but I don't find it justification for the childishness of DOS attacks, etc.