Hi, I've been on this list for a while, reading but not participating. I've been using Ubuntu since it first came out. I was brought to it by my partner's absolute passion and belief in Linux being the superior operating system and his constant search for new versions until eventually we've settled on Ubuntu. I'm a non-technical person (he's the technical one - a developer) but I love Ubuntu. I guess my point is I figured amongst the more technical people there would naturally be more who use Linux, male or female. I'm not sure how widespread the use is here in New Zealand but another presumption of mine has been that it is used more everywhere else - perhaps I'm wrong on that one too! :-D Anyway, I'm now wondering how much the reluctance to change from Windows to Linux has to do with familiarity and not wanting to move out of that comfort zone into something new even though doing so might bring more benefits than remaining in the same place. There's also the fear of the unknown. It didn't take me long to realise just how good Ubuntu is compared to Windows! My first PC stopped running Windows, couldn't even reload it and get it going - it's still working today (slow as it is) under Ubuntu - go figure! I'm rather a proud user of Linux and Ubuntu and bore my friends with how great it is whenever I get a chance. It's getting to the point now where I can do an upgrade myself and even found a couple of bugs a couple of releases ago...to be able to be involved, even on such a small scale is another bonus ordinary everyday people simply don't and won't get with Windows (and I presume Mac as well?)...I love it! Barbara Wellington, NZ <div class="gmail_quote"><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;"> 2008 23:08:28 Silvia Bindelli wrote: > Hi to all. > I'm a newbie in this group. I joined this mailing-list in November, but > I've been only a reader since then. > [snip] > Well, I said "ah". I really don't know if I have to be "proud" of this, or > what else....any ideas? > > Silvia You should ALWAYS be proud of being a Linux user. I'd say the fact that you're on of the few female Linux users, and are thus inspiring others to do it and helping to fix the issue, should make you even prouder. ^^ -- ubuntu-women mailing list <a href="mailto:ubuntu-women@lists.ubuntu.com">ubuntu-women@lists.ubuntu.com</a> <a href="https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-women" target="_blank">https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-women</a> </blockquote></div>