I don't want to really add fuel to any argument about siglinux/and the
unixlinux association but I had a relatively bad experience with the group
that I think it worth sharing. One day a friend of mine called and asked
if I would be willing to give a short introductory talk about linux for some
student organization. I have no real idea why they asked me really since I
am not a really famous cool "eric s raymond"-type person but I figured I
would help anyone who wanted help. I have been involved with siglinux in
the past (I designed/worked out the deal with kmfms.org to get the logos for
the tshirts) and it has been a postitive experience.
Anyway, the point is that I prepared for a talk, showed up to a room full of
about 10 people all but one of which were officers in some capacity of the
unix/linux association. I gave my little talk anyway trying to focus on
what free software really means since I figured this is something that is
most important to drive home to the mis/it people who are trying to make an
argument for using linux.
After I sat down I was ignored, never thanked, and have not since been
contacted. It kind of sucks when you are really busy and a group asks you
for a favor and you waste a considerable amount of time preparing/showing up
only to realize that it was not only as waste of your time but that they
didn't really want to you be there. They were much more interested showing
how you use KDE. I felt that it was a very unwelcome place. I don't know
why they wanted me to give a talk, but for whatever reason they didn't seem
too happy about me acutally showing up or something.
Maybe my ego was a little brusied or maybe my talk really sucked, but either
way, I think that tom's analysis is pretty dead on about unixlinux. I think
the group has entirely missed the fun, "hacker" spirit and community that
has always made unix groups cool. And I don't think they are very nice. : )
Don't volunteer to help them out if my experience is any guide.
todd gureckis adid.net
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On 2/22/01 4:03 PM, "tom carlile" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> hi patrick.
> i *bet* you need help with your installfest... =)
>
> my impression from day-1 of this group is that it's full of
> the typical lameass MIS student who just wants to buff up their
> resume with the words "Linux" and "organization." the application
> process to be involved with the group entailed a speech, a resume,
> a couple short essays, oh come on!
> your flyers say "Come see a computer running Linux! with other
> Linux software!" sounds exciting!
>
> i am a MIS student myself, by the way.
>
> i don't see the need for the fragmentation, you can work to
> incorporate Linux into the Business school via SigLinux as well.
> you would then have some actual experience in your group, which
> i've heard you're sorely lacking.
> (also, that Oracle class is taught from a Linux platform)
> the needless fragmentation is another thing that totally
> turns me off to your entire group.
> you won't come anywhere near your goals so long as Leibrock is
> director of technology, he enjoys those MS checks too damn much!
>
> Patrick Lang ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) wrote:
>> Hopefully you've seen the flyers up by now, and I'm looking for anyone who
>> would like to help out at our first Installfest. We've had a couple people
>> RSVP already, but we don't have a projection of the attendance yet. Anyway,
>> if you'd like to help, let me know asap.
>>
>> http://www.utexas.edu/students/unixlinux/
>>
>> I understand there was some sort of incident last semester regarding the
>> Unix/Linux Association. I do not know the full details of it as I just came
>> on board this semester, but Walter and the others have acknowledged their
>> mistake from last semester, and its over with.
>>
>> I've had some people ask why we have a Linux organization separate from
>> SIGlinux, and it not based off of any sort of ill-feelings or disagreements.
>> We started from scratch as an organization to promote both Linux and Unix in
>> general, primarily within the business school, and in fact, our staff
>> associate is one of the business deans. From the beginning of my involvement
>> with ULA, my goal has been to help newbie Linux users and advocate Linux to a
>> completely different set of people then whom SIGlinux caters to, and not hang
>> out with other techies or hack code.
>>
>> Other than educating new users, we're working to get some non-Microsoft
>> classes into the business school. They have one on Oracle, but none on Unix,
>> and essentially none of the MIS graduates know a thing about Unix. By
>> working with them, we will be producing more fresh Unix/Linux/*BSD friendly
>> businessmen for the future.
>>
>> If anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask, and please email me
>> directly asap if you would like to help out with the Installfest or future
>> events.
>>
>> Patrick Lang
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