Debian: contempt for "end user" values has to stop!"

[Derek Broughton]

Liam Proven wrote:

> 2009/8/20 Derek Broughton <derek at pointerstop.ca>:
>> Liam Proven wrote:
>>
>>> To maliciously mutate an old saying, Mohammed has been coming to the
>>> mountain for a generation and his feet are tired. It's time for the
>>> mountain to come to Mohammed.
>>>
>>> Ubuntu is making headway. Not a huge amount, but some. Most of the
>>> other spinoffs are not, they're just people trying to make things work
>>> the way *they* want, with no real consideration of what anyone else
>>> wants.
>>
>> And frankly, if that's the way you feel, you _shouldn't_ be using a Linux
>> distro.  That's evolutionary development for you.
> 
> I'm sorry, I wasn't aware there was an aptitude test or anything!

Of course there isn't - but why should you be using a distro which is so 
diametrically opposed to you desires?

> One of the big weaknesses of Linux to the general public is that there
> is this embarrassment of riches. Tell someone "you ought to try Linux"
> and they will find a bewildering, intimidating profusion of distros.

Yes, and the problem is ...?  Why would I ever tell someone "you ought to 
try Linux"?  Generally I'll suggest Ubuntu - not even because it's the best 
distro (which goes without saying), but because it's the one I'm most 
qualified to help them with if they have problems.  Sometimes, for someone 
with specific needs, I might suggest something else.  But it's irresponsible 
to tell someone they should try "Linux" as if it _is_ a single OS.

>> And _nobody_ really cares - notwithstanding Ubuntu Bug #1.
> 
> Speak for yourself!

Really?  Can you honestly say that you will be happier if nobody else uses 
Windows?  I'd be happier if nobody used _Word_, or various other propietary 
Microsoft apps - because they keep sending me the output - but I couldn't 
care less what OS they use for OpenOffice.

>> Why?  If I'm going to develop, I'm going to do it in a language _I'm_
>> comfortable with.  Even in a commercial setup, that's true.
> 
> Perhaps Canada has some much more laid-back employers than here in the
> UK. Here, if you want a job, you program in what you're told to, using
> the tools you're told to use. It's a rare and wonderful thing to get
> to choose...

If you're any good, it isn't hard to find a job using your language of 
choice.  Even if you're not, you're not _likely_ to be offered a job 
requiring you to use a language you're not comfortable with.
-- 
derek