Newbie Caution

[Trio3b]

As a new Linux user for about 2 years now I feel obliged to give a heads up to prospective new Linux users about the subversive tactics employed by a proprietary software giant we all know. This giant company is feeling the heat of large corporate users migrating to Linux and now with Dell offering opensource in its Desktop product line, this large proprietary software firm MUST rely on their long history of dispensing FUD about the opensource movement. Remember, this corporation is really a world class public relations master first and foremost, and what better way to disseminate FUD than to deliver carefully choreographed sideswipes at opensource disguised as "help"?

By and large, most forums including this one have helped immensely in my migration from the Windows world to opensource and I am now completely reliant on GNU / Linux for my day to day business needs.

However, there are a few Linux websites and forums out there that upon closer inspection, leave the distinct impression that they are dispensing FUD disguised as "help". For the new linux user here are some tips to help keep you aware about the true intentions of any random Linux forum:


If the Windows vs Linux thread in a forum is constantly in play and the other threads relating to actual help haven't had a post in weeks- red flag

If there are only a handful of repeat members who are "reviewing" distros AND their reviews "seem" to suggest that Linux has some nice features, but just isn't ready - red flag.

Some of these reviews are very well written in that they don't outright bash Linux and they appear to be fair and balanced, but they always leave the reader with the impression that maybe the new user should wait until linux matures - red flag

There are a number of domain registration databases. Find out who the owner or webmaster of the site is. Google this owner or webmaster and the name of the giant proprietary software company in the search text box with a "+" between them. You may be amazed at the red flag you come up with

This does not necessarily include Linux forums with advertising by the proprietary software giant. Some of them have to rely on that revenue stream, but you have to question their motivations.

This determination CANNOT be based on a few sporadic visits to the forum in question, or by any single one of the aforementioned red flags alone. But if, over time your gut tells you that the general tone is not beneficial to the opensource movement AND several of the above red flags are evident, consider removing them off your help list and warn others of your suspicions.

Conversely, please be alert to forum threads and members who make unrealistic promises about migration to any OS, including GNU / Linux. There is a learning curve no matter how you slice it or dice it.

Hope this helps a Linux newb

[techieMoe]

Good points all around. However, since this isn't technically a question, I'm going to move it to the Coffee Lounge.

[fingal]

Good well balanced and objective stuff. Thanks for educating me!

[CyberReb81]

I've been learning this very quickly. Rome didn't grow to what it was because her citizens waited for the city to "mature".

[fingal]

I've been learning this very quickly. Rome didn't grow to what it was because her citizens waited for the city to "mature".

No, and I think it's right to put "mature" in double quotes. What does it mean anyway?

I was completely unaware that some Forums aren't really about helping end users, but are just a FUD exercise.

[Trio3b]

Think about it. What better way to spread FUD than to avoid direct confrontation and instead, deliver glancing blows to the integrity of opensource. I know of one site that uses Linux in its name, uses tux logo, does very professional distro reviews and has links to opensource news. The forums are full of (obviously) Linux help threads, but the only one that is really active with any regularity is the Windows vs. Linux thread. If you visit this website over time you begin to realize that posters come and go with regularity and that ALMOST EVERY review, story or help thread has a subtle reference to "Linux is not quite ready".

Here in a nutshell is a paraphrased example of many reviews:

"Linux is no longer that nerds' toy that it once was. I thought the text install was going to be difficult, but don't let this throw you. For video, all I had to do was go to www.xxxx.com for graphics drivers. Once installed, Linux is blah, blah wonderful, beautiful this fabulous that, install went smooth. . .....(this goes on for two pages). Oh, by the way, you can plan on spending hours getting flashplayer , Acrobat and java installed, but this is not such a high price to pay for an OS that was once a play toy. Enjoy"

It is patently clear that this description can only be construed to be a backhanded swipe at Linux. Any opensource site trying to promote GNU / Linux would never allow reviews like this, much less constantly.

What a great way to plant the seed of doubt in the mind of a potential Linux convert.

Here's the kicker....Googled the website owners +microsoft. They are a Microsoft publishing partner !!

[smolloy]

Here's the kicker....Googled the website owners +microsoft. They are a Microsoft publishing partner !!

Crafty.

Thanks for pointing that out.

[fingal]

Here's the kicker....Googled the website owners +microsoft. They are a Microsoft publishing partner !!

I think that's called 'damning with faint praise'.

[Oxygen]

I see what you did there.

I rekon this is a really useful thread. Good job.

[Freston]

Some very excellent points! You are very much right. It's the same tactic as deployed by pseudo (and even real) pharmaceutical companies. Selling doubt and false promise to frightened people.

Remember Nietzsche:
There is no better way to discredit a cause than to praise it for the wrong reasons