<quote> NEW ATTITUDE: - "Linux is ready for the desktop! I've gone three weeks without opening an xterm!!!"
- "I love Linux, because you get to pick between GNOME and KDE. I'm learning so much about Linux. I've tried all of the backgrounds that come with Linux." - "I'm extremely experienced with Linux, because I've installed four different distros. Even though I never did anything with any of them." - "I can't wait until they port Internet Explorer to Linux." - "I wish we could have a UUG meeting on XMMS skins." Sure, Linux is growing, and is being used more and more on the desktop, but frankly, the desktop is boring as heck. Sure, when a new feature comes out, like Xorg transparency, it's pretty cool, but I really don't care much about programs that start with "k" or "g". I'm glad they're there, and I may even use them from time to time, but as far as a user group goes, there's nothing to discuss. </quote> This is a problem. You may not enjoy the desktop as much as back-end stuff, but other people do. I think that Desktop Linux users are just as valid of candidates for membership in the UUG as is someone who sets up LFS or runs MythTV. Linux has a lot to offer, and not all of it is on the back-end. If those of you who are more technical say "as a user group goes, there's nothing to discuss" then you are part of the problem! If a noobie says "I'm just a user, and this is a Unix USERS group, not a dev group. Kernel compiling --there's nothing to discuss" that's also a problem. I run Linux on my main computer. I ran my own server for over a year. I ran Gentoo no PowerPC for a year and a half including compiling kernels and other packages from source. I feel like I am more knowledgeable than the average noobie. Even after these two years or so in the UUG, I feel like I'm still striving for acceptance because I'm not as dedicated to Linux as some others here. I can only imagine the pressure that noobies arriving now are feeling. Maybe I'm just over sensitive, but I can't imagine that they feel welcome here. It's been a few months since I was on the Mac users group, but that mailing list would happily chat about the most simplistic, inane desktop activities without passing judgement on those asking the questions. Everyone has to start somewhere with their interest in Linux. If it's in using the cool eye candy in the E-Live Enlightenment CD, or learning how to set up Linux on a Mac, we should welcome them all. It's been a while since I turned to the UUG to answer my technical questions because I feel much more welcomed by, for example, the Ubuntu forums, or the Inkscape mailing list. -- Michael Moore ------------------------------- www.stuporglue.org -- Donate your used computer to a student that needs it. -------------------- BYU Unix Users Group http://uug.byu.edu/ The opinions expressed in this message are the responsibility of their author. They are not endorsed by BYU, the BYU CS Department or BYU-UUG. ___________________________________________________________________ List Info: http://uug.byu.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/uug-list
