[UbuntuWomen] UW article for Fullcircle mag

[Emma Jane Hogbin]

Elizabeth Bevilacqua wrote:
> The key word you use here is "Issues" - yes, we can discuss
> "technical, development or mentoring ISSUES" but when we become a
> duplicate of the help channels, the motu channels, etc targeted at
> just women it becomes separatist. Can't we just encourage women new to
> the project to join us in the main #ubuntu channels? Upping our
> presence in the general Ubuntu community is how we get things to
> change.

+1 Duplication of core Ubuntu projects is bad. I do support girl-only
science classes (and that sort of thing), but I think the curriculum
ought to be the same for girls and boys. In this respect: all Ubuntu
classes should use the same training material and the same training
platform. Instructors will always add their own flare, and a female
instructor teaching to an all female class may add different examples,
but in general I think it's based on personality and interests.


> I agree with everything until the "technical questions" bit. I think
> what we want to try to do is encourage *everyone* to ask questions in
> the main mailing lists/forums/irc channels and be supportive when
> these questions are asked. 
> My vision is changing Ubuntu as a whole, not creating a "safe" space
> within Ubuntu Women. I don't think anyone should be ridiculed anywhere
> for asking "so-called silly questions" - this isn't just a women's
> issue.

+1. I know part of the problem is creating a lower volume space.
Following along in an IRC channel or finding your answer in a really
busy forum is *hard* if you're not used to it. That has nothing to do
with gender, it has to do with practice.


regards,
emma

-- 
Emma Jane Hogbin, B.Sc.
Founder, xtrinsic
phone: (519) 371-2665
web: www.xtrinsic.com