Participating in an online community like LUG needs to be fun and rewarding. According to me it all boils down to this simple principle. People like Cavin make take away this fun and make it into a battle. This alienates and is counterproductive.
Today I had to work with a local carpenter. To my big surprise he told me that he was running Ubuntu (when he saw me running Ubuntu). Immediately he asked me some questions and wanted some help. Most questions were simple and I promised to visit him at home to solve some of the more difficult problems. He left happy! That is the spirit when we want to spread the word. From the start of LUG this community had the same purpose: help people with their Linux related problems. Young and/or inexperienced people ask questions and senior and/or experienced people try to help. When the question is answered and the problem solved, everyone is happy. As one of the people who first introduced Linux in Uganda I have dedicated a lot of time, in forums like LUG but also elsewhere and otherwise. I have always done that because I find it fun to do and rewarding to add a new user to the Linux community. LUG has been close to my heart for almost 7 years now, but over the last one and a half year I had more than one moment that I wanted to quit my membership. I have seen nasty and impolite discussions. I have little time and when try to help, ask a question or just share some information I do not want to have the underlying feeling that I may be attacked or belittled. Not by respected people in the community but also not by newcomers like Cavin. All contributions and contributors should be treated with respect. On more than one occasion I have asked the moderator to intervene. In my opinion someone who insults people and/or threats with legal action when confronted with his/her behavior is not welcome on a list. Off-list I have tried to coach Cavin as I know him longer than most of the people on the list. I have not succeeded as his behavior has gone from bad to worse. LUG has had some difficult times recently and the numbers of posts have gone down (I have not counted, but that is my feeling). Technical problems may be part of it, but also the tone of the discussions matter. Personally I notice that I have become reluctant to post on LUG because this may be rewarded with some irrelevant and personal attack. This takes away the fun!! Rules and a code of conduct are good, but also a moderator is important. I therefore thought that Kyle's action was totally justified. Again Cavin insulted someone and then he should get a warning. Removing him from the list is the ultimate warning (although he apparently seems to fail to see it as such and rejoins with a new email address). This is serious and should make the person reflect on his actions. Let try to make participating in the LUG community fun and rewarding again. Let us respect all people who try to participate and dedicate their time. I suggest that the moderator is stringent on people who cannot adhere to this basic premise. All people, also my carpenter, should feel free to ask a question (even stupid ones) one the forum and get a helpful answer. Only this will make the linux community in Uganda grow. victor On Wed, Jan 26, 2011 at 6:00 PM, sanga collins <[email protected]> wrote: > Lol@ the second. I like Mr Mugabi the second as a fake alias. Sounds more > regal. Anyway ... > > No reason is needed. Just leave of your own accord and everyone will be > happy including you. You might even get into IT Heaven. Where bandwidth is > unlimited and everyone get quadruple flat screen setups > > On Jan 26, 2011 6:24 PM, "Cavin Aaron" <[email protected]> wrote: >> Lug, >> am willing to leave the list, i have no gain in staying on this list, i >> will not gain or lose weight, if i stay on this list, this list will not aid >> me in pursuit of going to heaven, in simple terms, there is really no >> motivation however, i just need only 1 person to convince me, why i should >> leave, the person can send me a private email, to avoid spamming the list >> why i say this, its okay for some people to make personal attacks, but >> when i respond, for some reason, i have crossed the proverbial line >> that is a joke, banning me from this list is comical, i can register under >> an alias (Sanga Collins the second or Sir Albert Kabalega) >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> -- >> This message has been scanned for viruses and >> dangerous content by MailScanner, and is >> believed to be clean. >> > > -- > This message has been scanned for viruses and > dangerous content by MailScanner, and is > believed to be clean. > _______________________________________________ > The Uganda Linux User Group: http://linux.or.ug > > Send messages to this mailing list by addressing e-mails to: [email protected] > Mailing list archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ > Mailing list settings: http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/lug > To unsubscribe: http://kym.net/mailman/options/lug > > The Uganda LUG mailing list is generously hosted by INFOCOM: > http://www.infocom.co.ug/ > > The above comments and data are owned by whoever posted them (including > attachments if any). The mailing list host is not responsible for them in > any way. > _______________________________________________ The Uganda Linux User Group: http://linux.or.ug Send messages to this mailing list by addressing e-mails to: [email protected] Mailing list archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ Mailing list settings: http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/lug To unsubscribe: http://kym.net/mailman/options/lug The Uganda LUG mailing list is generously hosted by INFOCOM: http://www.infocom.co.ug/ The above comments and data are owned by whoever posted them (including attachments if any). The mailing list host is not responsible for them in any way. -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.
