On Wed, 09 Mar 2005 15:50:15 +0800, Zak B. Elep <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> clair ching <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
> 
> > Kutch: Supporting M$ piracy won't cut it =) We still have to give
> > people options.
> 
> Yes. However, when you look back, all this talk about piracy,
> intellectual property and licenses, it becomes all petty, since it
> somehow prevents us from working to the fullest, and having fun...
> 
> >> Ricky: In what you previously said:
> >> "I realized that this is anathema to many Linux users. You're supposed
> >> to know gcc and bash in order to use Linux.
> >> What is happening is that in teaching Linux here with these features
> >> as necessary parts to understanding means that a good many non-sysad
> >> types will be turned-off."
> 
> I'd like to recall something I saw in one of the HOWTOs: Linux grows
> with you. =)
> 
> > I only started using Linux in August of last year.  I don't know GCC
> > and I just know a bit of BASH.  It has been tough making time learning
> > some things on the CLI.
> 
> When I started, I was already familiar with gcc (as far as how to
> compile software, like building Emacs on MSDOG/DJGPP) and bash (I had my
> shell account by then, though I've yet to read bash(1).) However, even
> if I hadn't seen those by the time I've installed woody, as long as
> there's true motivation, there are no anathemas.

True =) Someone has to have the drive, the guts.
> 
> > Previously there has been a flurry of messages concerning CLI and GUI
> > (you could check the archives).  I think that for people who have just
> > been introduced to Linux, one way of encouraging them to learn to do
> > things on the CLI is to show them how powerful it is =) There are a
> > lot of nifty things that one can do on it.  That way, they can be
> > challenged to go beyond using the GUI.  Sooner or later they will be
> > comfortable with it ;) But there are other users who probably don't
> > think they have to go beyond the GUI.  Well, I guess it's ok for
> > starters, as you never could force people into doing things =)
> 
> Hehe! Well, it could be argued that Emacs is both a CLI and GUI, but
> that's another spawn of a thread...
Zak! <laughs>

> 
> But seriously, I'd like to think that GUIs are GUIdes towards an
> enlightened desktop metaphor. Alan Kay's forecast into the unknown
> almost 5 decades ago may now be the norm, but with Moore's Law, we're
> getting closer to the point where desktops are no longer `desktops' in
> the usual sense. Other metaphors, ranging from tiled workspaces to
> multidimensional environments are picking up steam, and maybe within the
> next few years, we might be able to see better, more fantastic
> ideas.
> 
> But along that way, a CLI holds open ground...
> 
> >> On Tue, 08 Mar 2005 22:34:15 +0800, Zak B. Elep <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> >> Indeed. Another instance of popular choice severely constrained by the
> >> lack of choice. And even when there are choices, most humans take the
> >> easy path of ignoring open knowledge in preference to laziness and/or
> >> ineptitude of FOSS given their current situation.
> >>
> > So I guess it's still a matter of perspective =)  So we have to tell
> > them the truth about FOSS so that they will be set free from their
> > current mindset ;)
> 
> And all we offer is the truth, nothing more...

And nothing less either =)

> 
> >> Same as the `diploma culture' most Filipinos adopt. Of course, by itself
> >> it isn't a bad thing, but we tend to stick to a particular
> >> side/brand/way even if we know its kinda wrong...
> >
> > Stikcing to a brand that people are "sure of", is the more appropriate
> > statement, I think.
> 
> Yes, that would be a better expression.
> 
> > People won't buy a new brand unless it has been tried and tested and
> > endorsed by so many others.  Individual computer users may find it
> > easier to adopt FOSS because they are the ones who will primarily be
> > affected. In larger institutions and companies, they have more things
> > to consider, as was said somewhere in this thread. So maybe sticking
> > to a particular brand may not be inherently wrong...  Just boxes
> > people in =(
> 
> That's true, and that's what I'm hinting wrt corps and orgs: the more
> people involved, the more these bodies ought to study carefully their
> current systems and find ways to improve it non-destructively. I'm just
> hoping the top brass would be enough on such matters...

I hope so too.  They would have to consider their resources, the
amount of time they need to transition, the people factor involved. :|
I guess that it could be daunting but everything has to be factored
in.

> > I guess that that this is something that has to be done so that people
> > won't be overwhelmed. I was overwhelmed myself when I got introduced
> > to Linux and FOSS in general. But intro texts and other documents have
> > helped me gain a bit more of understanding =)  That is why I am
> > advocating the use of FOSS right now ;)
> 
> So we need exposure and documentation that is (a) as open as FOSS, (b)
> accessible to both the educationally- and financially-challenged, and
> (c) be able to meet both the needs of noobs and leets halfway (but not
> half-and-half, as that would be half-baked.)
> 
True.

> Anyone with the 3 T's to spare on this?

3 T's ?
> 
> > True.  But people promoting FOSS also have a certain degree of
> > responsibility in how they help the company transition into using
> > FOSS, ne? =)
> 
> Yep. When the company migrates, these people should be the ones depended
> upon by the workforce in resolving the issues that crop up. Novell's
> effort is a good example.
> 
> > At least it's OOo ;)  Who knows? Maybe the next time you drop by
> > they'll be running on Linux :D
> 
> I hope so when I get back to Manila soon; I'm back home safe and sound,
> but I'll miss Sacha's talk on the 12th... *sigh*

So when would you be back? ;)
> 
> --
> ZAK B. ELEP     <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>     --      <http://zakame.spunge.org>

Maybe we could all start of planning an event that would make sure
that we could advocate not only Linux but FOSS =)

-- 
Clair Ching
librarian, bookworm, information gatherer, anime fan, linux newbie
http://clair.free.net.ph - blog about linux, emacs planner, tech and culture
http://clair.pinoyweb.net - daily journal, stories, miscellany
--
Philippine Linux Users' Group (PLUG) Mailing List
[email protected] (#PLUG @ irc.free.net.ph)
Official Website: http://plug.linux.org.ph
Searchable Archives: http://marc.free.net.ph
.
To leave, go to http://lists.q-linux.com/mailman/listinfo/plug
.
Are you a Linux newbie? To join the newbie list, go to
http://lists.q-linux.com/mailman/listinfo/ph-linux-newbie

Reply via email to