Preschool Parody
October 18th, 2002 | by Tony Steidler-Dennison | 1 viewsI grew up in a small town in Iowa, the stepson of a man who had some prominence, by way of ownership of the local radio station, in the community. I took a beating, both verbally and occasionally physically, based on nothing more than the fact that I belonged to this particular family. There were some who took great pleasure in the sort of “revulsion by association” game. My stepfather was an easy target and, consequently, so was I.
Along those lines, this disgusts me. You have to know that I’m no fan of Microsoft. I mean, I write a Linux newsletter and am quite happy with my “Gates-free zones” both at home and at work. Even at that, there’s clearly no reason to initiate a personal attack against a Microsoft employee, and to do so with the mentality of an elementary school bully. What am I saying? Even an elementary school bully will get in your face a few times. Even an elementary school bully has the courage to stand eyeball to eyeball with you once or twice - at least until you beat his ass. This personal attack on Beth takes cowardice to a new low level.
This writing in the ether is a lot like a clothing optional beach. You’re free to do what you please under the guise of “anonymity.” Sometimes, though, it’s just better to keep the shorts on, ’cause it’s only your ego that tells you people won’t mind looking at the pimples on your ass. And once we’ve seen ‘em, there’s no going back.
Andrew and the others who collaborated in this crap called it a parody. I call it the kind of immature activity that’s really only acceptable for preschoolers.
2 Responses to “Preschool Parody”
By Denis E. Ambrose, Jr. on Oct 18, 2002 | Reply
You know, I’m all for the debate between Windows and Linux. But, as soon as you become uncivil about things, I turn a deaf ear to you. I suggest we make a condemnation, then not give these “bullies” the light of day.
By Ernest N. Wilcox Jr. on Oct 21, 2002 | Reply
I have been a member of the Linux community since RedHat 5.2 / Linux-Mandrake 6.0 [Mandrake saved the day for me back then].
I have been honored to associate myself with what I believe are some of the finest individuals in the world - other members of the Linux community.
As with most communities, the Linux community is one of contributors. Some members of this community contribute directly to the production of the source code we all use. Others contribute to the Documentation for the use of that code. Most of us contribute financially to support the continued developement of both code and documentation. Those of us who have used Linux for a time provide assistance to those less experienced that they may learn.
The Linux / Open Source community extends acroos all national boarders, and social mores. It has been our tolerance of our fellow members, our uncompromising dedication to quality, and our unwavering conviction that free software [as in freedom to improve / modify] is absolutely essential to effective developement that has driven the growth of and perpetuated our community, and has been it’s main strength. Our community has continued to evolve as a result of this ‘you can / I’ll help’ attitude.
In my opinion, casting personal insult, or public derogatory remarks about other OS’s or individuals involved with those other OS’s can only weaken our community.
If one objective of the Linux community is to help the general public to understand what we are all about, we can not accomplish this with childish behavior. We must present our message clearly, and in the simplest terms possible.
When a non user ask’s me about Linux, I inform them it can take some considerable effort to learn to use it, but that there is plenty of help allong the way, and what you get back in the end far exceeds the required effort.
In the end, it is what community members contribute to the community that define the community.