Why the complicated names?

[carlosponti]

I really don't understand what we're arguing anymore. Linux is great. So... I agree?

i disagree linux is great

Ok. What's condescending about saying "that OS works for you? Great." I think you misunderstood what I said...again. Look: call me what you like, but I see this whole conversation boiling down to personal differences. I use Linux because it does what I want it to. I couldn't care less whether anyone else uses it. If they do, great! I'll help them where I can (and I do). If not, I'm not losing any sleep over it. With that I think I'm going to bow out of this thread. It's exhausting me.

Quitter!!!!!!

[fingal]

I also found the discussion tiring, but I thought it was just me. What I've realised is, this whole GNU/Linux thing is an activity rather than a discussion (though discussion is going to happen as well).

I was reminded of two bull walruses vying for territorial rights on an ice floe. A well worn ritual that would sooner or later end in tears.

Mind you, now I think about 'mainstream' and 'desktop' computing as two different things, so there is that.

My meagre contribution is that to really get involved in this thing you have to have a hacker mentality - even if it's only an inclination. IMHO it has real value in our world today. You have to be a builder.

You have to not trust monopolies, be interested in problem solving and not be bothered too much by the debate over 'which is best'. If you think otherwise you will lose interest and stop contributing. If all you have is a utilitarian attitute (for eg., you just think 'this is useful') you won't stay involved.

Can openers and hammers are useful, but uninteresting. Linux is useful and fun because it can be creative. Moe's website reflects - in many ways - that sense of engagement and fun so he's at least a proto hacker. I mean bless his heart, he's released a game on his website!

[ticklu2deth]

Sorry to tire you out fingal (and everyone else), I was just having a fun (for me) debate with techiMoe and attempting to correct the wrong impression that I had apparently given in my initial post. While I may be as big a a bull walrus, I'm certainly not trying to get techieMoes territory. He is FAR more technically savvy than I. Well, my wife always said I could argue a rock to powder.

And for the record.... I am not a Linux evangelist! Use what you like and if possible like what you use. I'm still looking for the perfect OS. Think I'll ever find it?

[ticklu2deth]

Oh! Oh! TechieMoe I was hoping you would disagree with me 1 more time so I could send you here:

http://geoffhutchison.net/gallery/running/can_whoop

My very small attempt at humor.

[CodeRoot]

Well, my wife always said I could argue a rock to powder.