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[ Home ] [ Archive ] [ ] [ Previous ] [ Next ] +---[ Issue 11
| 1st August 99 ]----+
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The Linux Bits
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http://www.thebits.co.uk
------[ CONTENTS
----[ OP-ED PIECE Ok, last week I just had the one big story, and I promised you more variety this week, and more variey you shall have! :) This week I'll have some links to other's stories (what a concept eh?) that I think you'll find interesting. This week's first topic will be "Effective Linux Advocacy" since it's a subject that has become important to me personally. I really started to think about it when I read the following piece: The above link is enough in and of itself, to keep you busy for the better part of an afternoon, if you follow all the links. Although you don't need to follow all the links to get the point. The point being that if we Linux user's are going to make the world a better place (which for me, means that Linux is a "legitimate choice" as the installed OS on any PC sold - note the use of the word choice, we don't want to rule the world, or at least I certainly don't), then we need to learn how to be "proper Linux advocates". Hmmm... that almost smacks of someone telling you what to do, doesn't it? Well no, not really. It is however, asking you to be responsible for your actions, to stop and think before you hit that "send" key on the flame to that "low-down so and so" that dared to diss Linux in some way. Want to know why? I can give you a good, and recent example. I'm sure you're all quite familiar with the Mindcraft "NT beats Linux like a drum" benchmark (mentioned back in issue 2) - bought and paid for by Microsoft of course. One of the results of that totally bogus report was that Microsoft got a lot of "good mileage" out of it, because of the reaction of a few members of the "Linux community", that saw fit to flames the folk at Mindcraft. Mindcraft then proceeded to post up the absolute worst of these flames on their website - which they have every legal right to do, although the moral issues are a bit murkier. But once you hit the "send" button, that email no longer "belongs" to you. Like it or not, it now belongs to the person who you sent it to. One of the people that sent a "flaming email arrow" Mindcraft's way was Joe Barr, a columnist at LinuxWorld. Although it was something that he did as an individual - because of his position in the Linux community - it created a fairly intense firestorm. Several people felt that Joe had overstepped his bounds, because of his position at Linuxworld. Some were calling for him to be kicked off the staff there. Others called for the head of Nick Petreley (the LinuxWorld editor) when he declared that Joe had done something - as an individual - that was in no way, shape, or form, connected to LinuxWorl. And therefore he wasn't going to give Joe the old "heave-ho" because of it. Nick was right of course to take that stand. Joe had done something away from his job that didn't reflect well on the Linux community in general. But it was still something that was in his "personal life" and not a part of his "business life", and therefore none of LinuxWorld's business. Period. Joe finally decided to post up an "Apology to the Linux Community", and said how he wished he'd never hit the "send" button on that email. I know just how he feels. I've sent off hasty emails that I later regretted sending. I think we all have. But rightly or wrongly, as members of the "Linux community" we have to stop and consider the effects our email may have, not just on us, but on others that may have been trying for who knows how long, to get their boss to even talk about Linux. Only to have someone's "flame email" posted up in a public forum that he frequents, and then it's "Adios Linux!" for who knows how long, because the boss is convinced that we're all raving madmen. Is that fair? No it isn't. It would seem that no one bothers to hold Microsoft fanatics to the same lofty standard. But then again they're probably too busy making excuses for whatever Microsoft (or perhaps Intel) might have done that week, that would have any reasonable thinking person so angered that they couldn't see straight. But because they are who they are - Wintel - they somehow just seem to survive it all, without so much as batting an eyelid. I read articles and reviews all the time that spend the first two-thirds of the review slamming Microsoft products (like Office 2000 for instance) as being "bloatware of the worst sort" and having features that no one will ever use, just for the sake of them being there, and then spend the last third of the review or article telling you that "you really should upgrade" to this newest Microsoft travesty. After all, if you don't you'll be "out of sync" with the rest of the business community - and you wouldn't want that to happen, now would you? So, what are you to do then? Well silly as it sounds, bear in mind what Steve Coe (Diary of a Linux Newbie) said in one of his recent pieces. That being that these are people that have most likely, never used any other OS. Period. Not even a Mac. They really have no clue just how huge a difference there is between Linux and Windows. How could they if they've never even thought about another OS? Knowing that they "just don't know any better" it then falls to us, the members of the Linux Community to bring them around, ever so slowly, to at least thinking about taking a look at Linux. How do you do that? Be creative! But more importantly, be honest! Mark Twain said: "If you tell the truth then you don't have anything to remember." So then, what is the truth? Well, the truth is that in any benchmark that is run honestly and fairly Linux is going to do pretty well against the best that Microsoft has to offer. It might not "win" every time, but it will do well. It's been shown time and time again. (Editor: Ironically the "damning" Mindcraft test helped improve Linux even further, by indicating bugs in Apache. Bugs that were fixed in 24-hours thanks to the legions of Open Source programmers.) So knowing that, why should we get upset when someone who is so obviously biased in favour of Microsoft as to be funny (especially since they were being paid by Microsoft), makes some outlandish statements, or produces some totally "bogus" test data to support their claims that NT is better than Linux, at such and such a category? We should just smile, because we know the truth, and know that sooner or later the truth will come out, because it always does, doesn't it? We should stick to facts, and facts alone to make our case. Calmly, rationally. Without calling the other person an idiot, because he thinks Microsoft Windows is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Rather than putting it into an "either Linux or Microsoft" context - which far too many people do - why not instead gently suggest that they try using the two "in tandem" to get their work done? How many people - other than IT managers or programmers - are aware that you can use Linux to read and write data to a Windows disk? Of course, we know it, but do they? Probably not. How many people know that StarOffice 5.1 will read and write Microsoft Office 97 files in "native" format? Almost no one outside of the Linux camp and the reviewers who've tested the programs. This right here could be a huge "selling point" to some people. Just the simple knowledge that they're not going to have to "abandon" all that hard work already done over the years could well be enough to get them to at least start to think about Linux. And we know that once they start to think about Linux, we've got half the battle won already as they're now actually thinking about a possible alternative to the (in my opinion) sub-standard "Closed Source" software coming out of Redmond. How many people know just how incredibly "network-aware" Linux is? That it can "talk" with Windows NT servers, with W95/W98 clients, with Macs, and can even work in a Novell network environment? The Internet? - Hmmm... let's see, yeah, I think it can do that too....smile. Do they know that a recent test showed that Linux (running Samba) was actually a "better NT than NT" so far as acting as a file-server for Windows 98 clients was concerned? No, probably not. And who is there to tell them if not us? Microsoft certainly won't be doing that will they? So what can you do then, that would be positive, factual, and not an insult to the intelligence of the person you're trying to convince? Well, if you're reading this newsletter you either already have Linux installed on your system - or are very seriously considering it - so once you get your system configured to a "fare thee well" and have enough confidence in your own technical abilities to do an effective presentation - why not invite the person you want to "show Linux off to" over for a while. Have a cup of coffee or something... show them what Linux can do. And after that just smile and be prepared to answer a ton of questions... One final point to make here about "being honest". Linux has problems. All software does. So when someone points out that "Linux has X problem" just agree with them. Why should you get mad when someone tells you the truth about Linux? If it's something that's being worked on you might let them know that - but again, be sure to stick to facts, and facts alone to support your claims. Don't get too emotional about these things. Linux is, after all, just an Operating System. It's not a religion. Some people might want to argue that point but the fact remains that if all the computers in the world went down tomorrow and never ran again, "life would go on", and humanity would find ways to get by. It's what we do best. Survive. Adapt to change. Note that nowhere above have I said you're not entitled to your own opinions, even strongly held ones. It should be rather obvious to all that I have absolutely no love for M$. But that doesn't mean I have to go around calling people names because of it does it? "Attack the idea, not the person" is an old saying in Usenet but a good one none the less. If we want Linux to be "taken seriously" by the people that matter in the business world, the people that control the purse strings and decide what OS should be run in an organization, then it falls to us to act in a "responsible" and "business-like" manner. You may think it "boring" to do that. So be it. Personally I think the "suit and tie" look is for the birds and try to avoid it whenever possible. However, if that is the appropriate attire for the occasion (like visiting your local banker or calling on a new client for the first time) then that is what you wear because it is "acceptable behavior". To show up wearing jeans and sneakers might get yourself mistaken for the local package delivery boy, instead of the professional you are. Remember that Linux has one thing going for it that Microsoft will never have in a million years... people all around the world that volunteer their time and effort to make Linux better - every day. Not because they get paid to (although in some cases perhaps they do) but because they have a sheer love of programming for its own sake. To see Linux be the best it can. Just one example of what I mean. Someone discovers a "security bug" in Linux and puts the word out on the 'net. In a matter of a couple of days - sometimes a matter of hours - there's a solution posted by some intrepid programmer that was able to promptly fix the problem. The word is put out that there's a fix for the problem and where to get it and how to implement it. Does this cost anything? Usually nothing more than the time it takes to do an FTP of the file and then install the fix on your system. No way can Microsoft compete with that. What do they have to offer? Money? So what. It wouldn't appear to have done them much good so far, at least judging by the reviews I've read about the latest fiasco from Redmond: The Windows 98 Special Edition that is anything but "special". Also, it would seem that even when Microsoft can be bothered by something as "minor" as a security bug in their server, it takes them days, weeks, maybe even months, to finally come up with a patch for the problem. I saw a piece just today that talked about how Microsoft had sent around a patch for a security problem, and also clear instructions on how to either make the changes manually or automatically. According to this report, Microsoft ended up with "egg on their face", when it was discovered that the automatic portion of the bug-fix was itself buggy, and that it didn't work correctly! So they had to send around yet another notice to, "not use the automatic portion of our patch procedure but rather just the manual procedure." Did you get that? It is not something that we have to work at - to make Microsoft look foolish - they do just fine by themselves. So, remember then to stop and think, before hitting that "Send" button on that "high temp" email. If you have any doubts that it might not be acceptable in "polite society" then don't send it! Hit the "postpone message" button instead and come back later. When you've calmed down a bit, take another look at it. If it still doesn't then delete it and forget about it. You'll still feel better just having typed it all out, even if it never sees any eyes but your own. Chances are, you've saved yourself and perhaps all of us, some unwanted and unnecessary embarassment.
----[ LINUX NEWS & ARTICLES FROM "THE REST OF THE WORLD" I'll start out with a few items from LinuxWorld that showed up in my inbox recently. I've been busy looking for a system of my own lately, so I'm not sure if it was this week or last week so I'll just leave it at "recently" and smile...
August LinuxWorld Expo Coverage Complete in-depth coverage of the August LinuxWorld Expo, featuring interviews with big Linux names like Miguel de Icaza (head of GNOME project), Richard Stallman (free software champion), Brian Behlendorf (co-founder of the Apache Project), and not forgetting Mr. Linus! The Penguin's Choice Awards The editor's (and contributors) of LinuxWorld are currently working on Editors' Choice Awards for the best Linux software, which will be given out at the LinuxWorld Expo in San Jose in August. You really should pop on over and put in your vote for the best products. I already have. There's no law says you have to be a "geek" to vote for something, or have years of experience with Linux either. So get over and voice your two cents worth. Free At Last! Good-bye LILO, hello Linux! The story above inspired me to declare my own "independence" of a sort. You see, I've been looking hard for a system and had - somehow or other - managed to convince myself that I really needed to have Windows on it. I reckon I was thinking along the lines of needing access to the net or some idiocy like that - just until I get Linux and get it installed mind you. Of course, then I'm stuck with close to 200Mb of Windows cluttering up my disk, with absolutely no intention of ever making it my "OS of Choice" by any stretch of the imagination. After reading the above story I stopped and thought about it for a while. Joe talks about having to "archive" all his Windows files, and keep them around for who knows how long. Of course. Joe (and many others) have been using Windows for years. They can't just do a "format c:" and forget it ever existed can they? I on the other hand, don't have any Windows files to drag along with me, since I've not had a system of my own for years. So instead of spending somewhere between US$60 and $100 (depending on where I buy and the version - Win95 v. Win98), I thought it better to put that money into something useful to me. Like the distribution of SuSE to soon be released. A Whole New Civilization Built On Linux I'll be expecting to hear a report back - from somebody - about this game on Linux. I need to know whether or not to buy it for myself... smile. SuSE Launches Latest Linux Release The English and German versions of SuSE 6.2 will begin shipping on August 9th. Here are some highlights of the "latest and greatest" you can expect to find inside your package when it arrives. And don't forget that this is only going to set you back around US$50!
If you're not drooling by now, then I quit.
----[ JUST FOR FUN Praise, pans, and tips from the readers of LinuxWorld When this came in I was so happy to see it. You see Nick Petreley does a bit in Linuxworld called the "Penguin Brief" and sometimes it's just hilarious! Take the links to the story above and follow them to the story about the Marx Brothers - you'll have tears coming down your cheeks you'll laugh so hard. And remember..."If you can't send help, at least send more beer!"
----[ WRAP-UP Well that's it for another week my fine featured penguin lovers. What did you think? Good? Bad? Let me know what you thought, and feel free to make any suggestions on topics you'd like to see covered. As I said last week, this is your newsletter as much as mine...
----[ CREDITS This week's The Linux Bits has been brought to you by:
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