Re: Knoppix is Not Debian
On Sun, 08 Feb 2004 21:04:34 -0800, Marc Wilson wrote:
[snip]
>
> If the idea is to dumb things down so that the stupids don't have to think,
> eventually all that will be left are the stupids.
>
[snip]
Ha! "Build a system that even a fool can use, and only a fool will want
to use it."
I've just reread this and I probably shouldn't post it, but heck, it took
a while to write, so here goes...
I once thought that making Debian GNU/Linux easier for the non-IT person
to install and use was A Good Thing(tm). But I find my mind has changed
on reflection (the reflection started thanks to a fairly good spanking
I received on #debian for which I remain grateful).
Debian isn't a business, it's a free project, entirely supported by
volunteers and contributions/donations. As such, Debian does not need to
seek market share, or compete with other Linux distros or other OSes. And,
in fact, the more non-IT folks who use Debian, the more immediately
onerous for the volunteers becomes the burden of support and documentation.
The only level of market share which debian needs is enough to maintain
the interest of volunteers and would-be volunteers for development,
testing and documentation. And, of course, donors.
So, if someone finds debian too hard to install or maintain, and doesn't
want to spend the time learning and experimenting, well, that's OK. They
can still install RH, Suse, Knoppix or whatever - it's *still Linux*. Or
they can install one of the Microsoft products. That's OK, too, if it
gives them what they need.
The point being that if you install debian, and ask questions which show
that you're thinking and trying to learn, debian folks will bend over
backwards and stay up all night helping you out, for free. There are many
in here who will attest to that.
But, if all you do is complain about how another distro is better, or why
isn't debian easier to install, or why don't "they" improve the
documentation, or why is woody so *old*, then, by all means, migrate to a
different distribution and don't let the door hit you in the ass on the
way out, because the fact is that you have no right to make demands and
the debian project doesn't really need you anyway. It's not like you're a
paying customer.
An aside:
I find myself, having once been a bit taken aback by his forthrightness,
often agreeing with Marc - but please *don't* tell anyone this,
*especially him*.
Heh.
Marc often expresses what I (and I suspect many others) are thinking but
don't wish to/dare to put into words, and then takes the heat for it,
leaving the rest of us to look like nice guys.
And for that, he gets my thanks.
--
....................paul
It is important to realize that any lock can be picked with a big
enough hammer.
-- Sun System & Network Admin manual
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