Why we are all here (was Re: audio cd)

[Andrew Harris]

Well said. Being 15 and having joined the list at 14, I'm here simply because I love the Linux community. It's what society would be like if it were perfect, minus the flame wars and the whole free/open source debate (WTF???).
   
  One thing I really like about this LUG/list is that there's no real leader--it's like a controlled anarchy!
   
  I have not attended any meetings or installfests, but that's just because they take place so far away and late enough that it would take FOREVER to get through traffic because of rush hour.

  
Patrick C <patrick.pxc.c at gmail.com> wrote:
  As someone who joined this list at 15 (I won't be 16 until July), I think it's appropriate here for me to add my "two cents."

I've seen a few "flames" and a few clashes of opinion on this mailing list since joining, but for the most part, that's been unintimidating. A mailing list is an easy forum to walk away from. Flames typically aren't directed at me, and so as someone watching from the sides, I don't observe anything other than just people. People don't get along sometimes. That's just the way it works. 

Another aspect of this list, in my opinion, that diminishes the potential abrasiveness of so-called flames is that this list is so informally structured. Because it is, there really are no "higher ups." This list basically consists of either newbies or old-timers, but as far as I can tell, it doesn't say which is better than other. Respect is earned not simply through technical knowledge, but through helpfulness and personal presentation. Because of this, if I'm faced with a personal insult, I can handle it because it's just some guy; he doesn't mean anything, he doesn't lead the group, he may not even provide direction for the group. In a community where there are no formal leaders, there can also be no individual who is completely reflective of the community.

The other thing, maybe for me, is that before I really started participating in this list, I attended a meeting and an installfest or two. Attending those allowed me to meet many individuals who belong to this list, and seeing them in an environment based around simple helpfulness at installfests or sharing of knowledge at a meeting reminds you that the ultimate goals of the members of this list are essentially the same: simple participation, simple community, and that despite whatever views clash and however brusque any particular member is, this list consists of people that have feelings, moral judgements, and a general good will towards each other.

I specifically remember the first meeting I attended, there was supposed to be a brief presentation on desktop acceleration. I had no history with this group, I wasn't active on the mailing list. I said I had done a little playing around with XGL and AIGLX, and thought I might be able to add something to the presentation, or show a few tricks. The so-called "leaders" of PLUG just let me (at least try to) do my thing without considering my age or my lack of history with the group. This group is full of knowledgeable, helpful, and ultimately (and most importantly) genuinely good people. If you haven't seen this or noticed this, I encourage you to attend a meeting or an installfest, and see for yourself. 

You may find friendly faces more inviting than dark words on a bright screen, even if you've already found the list itself to be inviting.

--Patrick C.

  On 3/28/07, Nathan Aubrey <nathan at paysonlinux.org> wrote:  
I don't know how old Michael is, but I just have the assumption he's a young
guy, (sorry if you're older!). If I had been 14 or 15 when I joined this list
I would have quickly lost my interest in Linux because of the negative 
attitudes of many people I've encountered here over the years. I have been on
this list for several years, and I've been using Linux since slackware first
came out. I don't feel the need to impress anyone, or push my seniority 
because I've used Linux longer than most people on this list. Nor do I feel
stupid when I ask an extemely simple questiuon that I should have known
better. I take part in this list because there is a great wealth of knowledge 
amongst the pluggers, and I enjoy learning things that others do.
I felt bad that someone would jump on Michael for something so innocent, and I
don't mean to get political, but frankly it pisses me off that someone would 
do that to someone who is trying to learn and just a little excited.
How many times have you been there before? I've been there many times.
Unfortunaley I've stumbled on cool things many times in the past, but avoided 
posting them to this list for this exact reason, I knew I would be ignored or
blasted for wasting a few neurons.

Please excuse the rant, but you asked for opinions!

Nathan


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