[UbuntuWomen] Is it so strange for a woman to use linux?

[Emma Jane Hogbin]

Silvia Bindelli wrote:
> Il Monday 03 March 2008 23:31:27 Emma Jane Hogbin ha scritto:
>> Is it possible to turn the comment into an advocacy/outreach for
>> GNU/Linux software?
> 
> Well, I think it already is so. What sounds a little strange to me is that my 
> male classmates are using linux too, but noone seems surprised about that.

This is why I think it is *so*important* to have female role models. For
some reason I am more likely to believe that I can do something if I can
see my own identity in the person I want to emulate. If someone "like
me" can do a task I am more likely to think that I can too. Yes, I
believe this is silly when it comes to computers. Gender should
absolutely not affect technical capability. ... but ... This sort of
interaction shows how much we have been conditioned to think that Linux
is (1) hard and (2) only something that male students can do. (Which is
crazy!! Of course female students can be good at Linux too!!)

Congrats on being a role model to your fellow students and to your
mentor! Yay!! I love hearing stories like this where someone was able to
make technology accessible to others. :)


>> Is there a common workspace for the group? Would 
>> they be interested in having Linux installed on one of the shared
>> computers?
> 
> PhD students work on their own laptops, while in most labs in my university 
> linux has already been installed and used fo didactical purposes since when I 
> was on my first year at bachelor (5 years ago).

Interesting that your lab computers use Linux and yet people still think
it is hard/not-mainstream/etc...

Another good stepping stone for Windows users is the OpenDisc.
http://theopendisc.com/
I personally used Windows with only FOSS software for a year before I
switched the underlying OS as well. I'm not sure if the CD has been
internationalized/localized to include Italian... but it might of
interest to those who aren't ready to make the full switch to Linux but
are interested in exploring software alternatives...


regards,
emma


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

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