You're right, these mailing lists are dominated by men. For so long this sort of technical interested was thought to be the domain of men. Fortunately that age is disappearing and we have more and more women interested, developing and doing damn good work in the field. And that's why I think LinuxChix is a good idea.
At present, just for the Mandrake Expert and Newbie list, I've only noticed a handful of women on the list. There may be many more, but I've only noticed a handfull. The LUG I deal with has maybe two woman. And I believe they're room mates who work for the university IT department. I ~think~ that's it. But, personally, I've known women who have shyed away from LUGs and/or mailing lists because some of the practices that go on. Mainly attributed to being made up almost entirely by men. I know I've seen some things said on the Mandrake lists that women may take offense to due to sexist suggestions. Or the "poor woman" response I've seen on the list as well. I've noticed how the same question asked by one of the lists women gets 15 response. Yet the same question from a "New Guy" gets ignored. I'm pretty sure the woman of the lists woud like the same respect as anybody, that people aren't answering their questions because somebody took pity on them. Maybe I'm the only one seeing/noticing this, I don't know. But I think that LinuxChix is great way to introduce Linux to more people. And the way they deliver information is very well done I believe. Some could see the different distrobutions as a bad thing for Linux. Other see it as a good thing. It's part of the choice. It shows the diversity. But I can see how people would see that as a step back as well. But, unfortunately, just because we're OPEN Sourced, doesn't mean we're OPEN minded. *tosses his penny in the pot* tdh -- -------------------------------------------------------------------- T. Holmes | UNIXTECHS.org | [EMAIL PROTECTED] | UIN: 17021091 -------------------------------------------------------------------- | hi list, | | firstly, im a woman and i dont have anything against | establishing linux organizations or groups that cater | for particular groups like women ... or | men/gays/lesbians too (if there are such groups). if | the particular organizations/groups do help them, then | good for them. so, guys can also participate on the | linuxchix group ... whats the difference then to | local/international LUGs or this mandrake list or the | kernel mailing lists? you can voice out in this groups | and mailing lists too. | | in my opinion, establishing these groups would divide | the linux or bsd community more (just like how distro | users already divide the linux community instead of | uniting to topple the EVUL-EMPIRE) and would limit | your knowledge to only those things that this | particular organization/group can offer. there are | things/info or tips & tricks that men know that women | dont and vice versa. and on mailing lists, there are | stoopid questions asked by guys too so why should | girls be intimidated by them (guys, no offense <grin>) | | | and yes, i do agree that girls are scared off | sometimes in linux mailing list but i think (based on | MY experience), its not really prevalent. some LUGs | that i joined in really support girls/women that use | linux and they really try to help out... i think they | (guys) help out more when they know you are a girl. | | i do believe that, in general, the current | organizations/groups dont really treat you based on | what gender you are. they wouldnt even know you are a | girl if you dont put your real name in there. | | to me, to be able to take advantage of using a great | OS, you should be open minded and never never make | things personal. on mailing lists or chats too, just | pick up things you can use or those that are relevant | to your situation. dont dwell too much on | personalities cause you cant control that. if you want | to learn more, be neutral. | | maybe if the group's objective is more into gathering | all women all over the world to support statistics | that women DO use linux and DO KNOW how to use it ... | or establishing online-friendships/advocacy and more | into encouraging WOMEN to use linux .... i think i | will be the first to sign up. | | my one cent. | | cheers, | dianne | `-------------------------------------------------------------------
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