Headline FeedsLinuxInsider Talkback
|
|
Re: A Teacher's Misguided Linux Rant and the Equally Misguided Response
Posted by: Katherine Noyes 2008-12-15 04:35:29
See Full Story
A variety of interesting topics are usually discussed on the Linux blogs in an average week, which is why it's often so hard for us here at LinuxInsider to choose a select few to focus on in this column. Luckily for us this time around, last week was no average week. No, it became immediately obvious last week that there was really no choice as to what to focus this column on, because the same, shocking topic was the center of conversation after conversation.
The question isn't of whether the teacher behaved properly in her email (pretty sure we all can agree no) or whether Sparks behaved properly in his reply (again, probably not). The question here is why is there still the misconception in the world about the legality of Linux?
Recent lawsuits filed against open source companies and properties, most notably those filed by SCO, are part of the problem. The general consensus is that if you have a lawsuit filed against you or your company you had to have done something wrong. The second problem is the lack of education about the capabilities and usefulness of Linux to the everyday user. Many Linux users, zealots or otherwise, will spend all day extolling the virtues of our little penguin without offering any real, helpful information to users. For the layman which of the following makes more sense: it's open source or it's a license that allows you to distribute the software as you like so long as you provide it freely and openly when asked for it?
The zeal is what's most perceived by the non-OSS community. It's not free, it's freely available to all. Changing the perception of how the software is distributed would have likely stopped this teacher, and anyone else who uses this argument, from getting so upset. Education is the best weapon against ignorance.
Gryyphyn, out.
Recent lawsuits filed against open source companies and properties, most notably those filed by SCO, are part of the problem. The general consensus is that if you have a lawsuit filed against you or your company you had to have done something wrong. The second problem is the lack of education about the capabilities and usefulness of Linux to the everyday user. Many Linux users, zealots or otherwise, will spend all day extolling the virtues of our little penguin without offering any real, helpful information to users. For the layman which of the following makes more sense: it's open source or it's a license that allows you to distribute the software as you like so long as you provide it freely and openly when asked for it?
The zeal is what's most perceived by the non-OSS community. It's not free, it's freely available to all. Changing the perception of how the software is distributed would have likely stopped this teacher, and anyone else who uses this argument, from getting so upset. Education is the best weapon against ignorance.
Gryyphyn, out.
If all else fails blame the teacher
Posted by: Latviete 2008-12-20 18:50:09 In reply to: Katherine Noyes
Two responses to your story speak volumes.
It's not the "clueles teacher" but the clueless Linux users that make me shake my head.
I chose to use Microsoft IE and their XP Home OS. Do I at every opportunity try to shove it down someones throat? No. So why don't Linux users lighten up. Its seems everyone missed the point of why the teacher really was upset.
Not only do they teach but now they also have to be computer experts.
I saw that happening at our library when the first computer was installed. Instead of doing their job now they also had to help people use the computers.
Anybody have a clue what is wrong with this picture?
I have nothing against technology as long as it is used properly and has its place.
I see kids brandishing their laptops instead of notebooks etc. In a overcrowded classroom with everyones face in the computer, do your really think they all are taking notes?
Our twp tried to pass the school budget which for the first time was defeated because it was going to provide a laptop for every child that could not afford one to take home. Laptops in affluent communities. Not enough books in poor?
The whole incident was a fiasco on both sides.
If I was a teacher in the present system I would be upset too watching students play tech experts during school hours instead of concentrating on their school work.
No wonder our kids are so nervous and stressed out. I would be too walking around with a cell phone around my neck and guarding my laptop!!!
It's not the "clueles teacher" but the clueless Linux users that make me shake my head.
I chose to use Microsoft IE and their XP Home OS. Do I at every opportunity try to shove it down someones throat? No. So why don't Linux users lighten up. Its seems everyone missed the point of why the teacher really was upset.
Not only do they teach but now they also have to be computer experts.
I saw that happening at our library when the first computer was installed. Instead of doing their job now they also had to help people use the computers.
Anybody have a clue what is wrong with this picture?
I have nothing against technology as long as it is used properly and has its place.
I see kids brandishing their laptops instead of notebooks etc. In a overcrowded classroom with everyones face in the computer, do your really think they all are taking notes?
Our twp tried to pass the school budget which for the first time was defeated because it was going to provide a laptop for every child that could not afford one to take home. Laptops in affluent communities. Not enough books in poor?
The whole incident was a fiasco on both sides.
If I was a teacher in the present system I would be upset too watching students play tech experts during school hours instead of concentrating on their school work.
No wonder our kids are so nervous and stressed out. I would be too walking around with a cell phone around my neck and guarding my laptop!!!
Ubiquity does not equate to legality. I was wondering where I might find an older version of Windows for free? I realize one cannot see my tongue in my cheek. I have copies of MS-DOS that can be moved around from system to system provided I comply with the licensing agreement. I have a 286 version of Windows also. I was wondering if the middle-school teacher was referring to these technological marvels?
Good article! It should be required reading in Netiquette 101. We who blog and e-mail often react as if the absence of the human interface/face-to-face/body-language makes the other parties seem less than human. We should sit on our hands a few moments before pushing enter/clicking send. Thanks for the reminder.
