[sf-lug] [LINUX USER QUESTIONAIRE] Linux growth

[Larry Cafiero]

<perspective>

You know, if this were a LUG in which I had some decision-making power
regarding the mailing list -- and I don't here (but I do have that power at
one elsewhere, incidentally) -- I think I would have done things somewhat
differently.

Primarily, I would have asked Edward -- "asked," leaving him to comply or
not -- to:

-- Submit all his questions at once, rather than stringing them along
(which, in my opinion, makes it appear that Edward's "making this thing up
as he goes along." He may not be, but that's the appearance); and

-- Submit an electronic version of the paper, once it's turned in to his
class, to the mailing list so we can see the results of his research in
which we've given our time; and

-- Supply me with his teacher's/faculty advisor's e-mail or other contact
information so I can confirm this assignment; and

-- Attend a meeting to interview LUG members in person.

Second, of the mailing list denizens, I would have asked them -- again,
"asked," leaving them to comply or not -- to:

-- Answer Edward individually, as to avoid the spike in mailing list traffic
which might impede other discussion; and

-- Come to a meeting where Edward would be available to ask questions and
collect answers.

So, Edward, you've asked an awful lot of this group for the benefit of a
homework assignment, and I think you should be aware of that. My hope is
that you appreciate the effort put forth by everyone who has responded,
regardless of the answers.

Larry Cafiero

</perspective>

On Thu, Jul 30, 2009 at 4:01 PM, Edward Janne <tigakub at mac.com> wrote:

> Thank you for your illuminating reply.
>
> On Jul 30, 2009, at 10:49 AM, Rick Moen wrote:
>
>  Quoting Edward Janne (tigakub at mac.com):
>>
>>  Question 5: Is the Linux user base growing fast enough?
>>>
>>
>> I can tell that you're not a "process" thinker, because my immediate
>> reaction was "Fast enough to accomplish _what_ specifically?"
>>
>
> For the purposes of my paper, would you mind going into more detail about
> how one would become a process thinker? Are there many forms of process, or
> is there one universal process? Is there a process to becoming a process
> thinker, or is one simply born a process thinker? Am I on the right track to
> becoming a process thinker?
>
>  What do the members of the group do to encourage adoption of the
>>> platform?
>>>
>>
>> Your question suggests the zero-sum proprietary-OS mindset at work.
>> It's kind of depressing to still encounter that in 2009.
>>
>
> Would you help me rephrase my questions to avoid lending the impression
> that I have a zero-sum proprietary-OS mindset? I'm not entirely sure what I
> have said to lead you to believe that. I really don't see how my question
> can be construed to imply that I believe that increasing the adoption of
> Linux detracts from other OS usage or vice versa. Is it the .mac in my
> e-mail? I can't remember ever typing the word "convert" nor validating or
> condemning any OS. If Linux is a good operating system, I would think
> everyone would like to see it more widely recognized and used, not because
> of mindless brand loyalty, but because it can benefit society. Is this an
> erroneous mind-set?
>
> Also, can you help me understand how repeatedly belittling someone who is
> honestly seeking to understand the Linux community is constructive? Is it
> some kind of hazing ritual? Someone once threatened in jest to make me
> install Slackware as an initiation. Is that what you are doing?
>
> -edj
>
>
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