On Sat, 2009-05-16 at 08:48 -0700, Visakh wrote: > Wow! That's some compliment, coming from you, sir! I am really > flattered!
Well, thanks. But a compliment is a compliment, whoever it comes from, so long as it does not have other intentions behind it. I have noticed that your language is good, and your thinking has clarity. That is something that comes naturally for some people, while some others achieve it. Of course, there are others also in this list whose postings have these qualities. These are qualities that would help anyone in their life and it is good that every person tries to develop these qualities always, because language is not static but goes on changing and we continue to face situations that challenge our capabilities. If not, life would soon become dull. Sorry, but this seems totally off topic. > In reality, Zacharia reminded me of the circumstances under which I > started experimenting with FOSS and GNU/Linux. That is, when I was a > +1 Loyolite. During that time, I was completely inexperienced and used > to experiment extensively- often failing with disastrous consequences > and drawing a lot of flak from my parents. I was desperately searching > for help. But I was convinced that FOSS would provide me an > unparalleled opportunity to learn. Needless to say, I was right - it > went so far as to secure me a job! I appreciate your perseverence. And I am sorry that you had to face a lot of flak from your parents. I hope that you would be more understanding towards your children. Children need to be encouraged when they decide to take up such challenges. That is the way they grow. Sorry if I sound moralising. I am not. Just pointing out some facts. > Today, I shudder with fear to think of others facing the same > difficulty. Luckily, groups like these are here. Still, I have my fair > share of respect for all beginners - for showing the courage to take > the plunge. Sometimes, not even the best students don't show that > quality of learning. As for me, working with people in this group is a > privilege. I understand. At the same time, we should remember that a person is really empowered when (s)he learns to solve his/her problems by herself/himself. I am sure you learned a lot of things through your struggles. I know that I certainly did. So it is good for any individual to strive to solve problems. This does not mean that we need not help anyone. Getting a solution from someone else should be the last resort. And, to me, the best students are not necessarily those who score the highest marks, but those who learn from their own and other people's experiences. Hope you have heard the story of the butterfly struggling to come out its cocoon. A kind soul helped it by breaking open the cocoon so that it could come out. But the butterfly could not fly. Because, it was expected to remain in the cocoon until it became strong enough to break out. This may be just a story, but I think that it tells us something. And, according to me, that something is that every person has to struggle to become strong enough to face the world. Guess I should stop now. This is already too much of 'blah blah' unrelated to this list. Sorry, just that I found this opportunity too tempting to write something that was just waiting to come out :-) Best -- V. Sasi Kumar Free Software Foundation of India Please visit http://swatantryam.blogspot.com --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ "Freedom is the only law". "Freedom Unplugged" http://www.ilug-tvm.org You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "ilug-tvm" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For details visit the website: www.ilug-tvm.org or the google group page: http://groups.google.com/group/ilug-tvm?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
