--- Gary Dunn <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > ... I think with > > more development it could replace windows servers. > > Really? When? Any time soon, you suppose? > Open-source servers currently > outnumber windows servers. By a wide margin. Proof? > Look here: > http://www.netcraft.com/survey/ > > By all means, maddog, include some open-source > supporters on your show. > Without us, the show will become laughably out of > touch.
I hate to be the one that sounds like a spoil-sport, but I think it is this kind of attitude that prevents the adoption of Open Source alternatives. Some of us have been using and making wonderful tools that may not get as much recognition as commercial products for a while. It seems when others begin to recognize and use said tools, we make fun of their lack of knowledge, or of their questions. Or we belittle someone's software choice when their choice does not coincide with our personal choices. Then we ask ourselves why companies are wary to adopt or develop for Open Source projects and systems. It is this kind of attitude that perpetuates misunderstanding, and it will continue to be this kind of attitude that prevents the common user from adopting Open Source alternatives. Please remember that Open Source alternatives are just that: alternatives. Just as we have a right to decide what we personally use, so does everyone else. I understand that many of us feel that our choices are superior to others, but we must respect that they have opinions too. Open Source tools may be better than commercial closed-source, but there are many people that choose the closed-source option beacuse it is what they are used to, or the Open Source alternative is cumbersome. I feel it is our responsibility to the Open Source community to educate others about the alternatives, not to slander their choices. I was drawn to Linux because I am learning as much as I can about POSIX-type systems. I never used UNIX before I joined the Navy, and instantly fell in love with it when I was introduced to it at my service school. Seeing as I am drawing near the end of my term in the service, that was 3 years ago that I started using UNIX. I am still a newbie, in my opinion. I have only been using Linux for a little over a year now. I got my first copy of a distribution (RH7.2) at ITEC, where I met such wonderful and knowledgeable people, like Devon Phillips from ALOHA. I subscribed to the list afterwards to see what knowledge I could find that could help me both at work and at home. I haven't asked much of the group, as others had asked questions that I had or didn't know that I wanted to ask. I have found that this list is a fountain of knowledge, and appreciate all the help. I know there are others like me that, for the longest time, didn't think there was a true alternative to Windows. To so others that there really is a viable alternative, we must welcome questions, and be as helpful as possible. At the same time we need to learn that ignorance can be solved through education, not through slander or putting on airs. I have a hard time bringing up Open Source alternatives to people when their perception of it revolves around people with a better-than-you attitude. I personally have made myself available for questions about Open Source to friends and strangers, and I hope that we all will do this. I am sorry this post ran long, but I cannot stand by any longer to such actions. I know this will open me to all sorts of flaming, but I hope that maybe we can open our eyes. Casey __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Shopping - Send Flowers for Valentine's Day http://shopping.yahoo.com
