Re: OT: programming languages
On Sun, 29 Jun 2014 12:40:28 -0400
Miles Fidelman <mfidelman@meetinghouse.net> wrote:
> Joe wrote:
> > On Sun, 29 Jun 2014 15:46:58 +0100
> > Tom Furie <tom@furie.org.uk> wrote:
> >
> >> On Sat, Jun 28, 2014 at 11:41:57PM -0400, Steve Litt wrote:
> >>
> >>> Programming belongs on any Linux list, especially since a lot of
> >>> times you need to code to get things done. Dare you to configure
> >>> dwm without coding.
> >> However, there is a difference between discussing code in the
> >> context of a solution to a problem and discussing coding and
> >> langauges in general.
> >>
> > Indeed, but the name of the list is 'debian-user', not 'Debian':
> > it's about us, not about the OS. A subject is off-topic here if it
> > is [likely to be] of no concern to Debian users, not merely if it
> > is not specific to the Debian operating system.
> >
> > Debian users might well be interested in better ways to administer
> > and configure their Debian systems, even when such methods are not
> > applicable *only* to Debian.
> >
> > And the point was made elsewhere recently that many/most of us are
> > computer *users*, not developers or full-time administrators. If you
> > have only time to read one or two technical lists, it makes sense to
> > read those which are specific to your operating system(s), rather
> > than pick from hundreds covering various languages, applications and
> > computer science topics.
> >
>
> Given that Linux in general, and Debian in specific is probably more
> frequently used on servers than on desktops, and many who use Debian
> are also developers and their own system administrators, I would
> suggest that that anyone who installs, administers, develops on,
> and/or develops for Debian IS a "debian-user."
>
> I would also suggest that, given that Debian has it's own foibles
> when it comes to packaging, file system layout, system services (can
> you say systemd?), configuration, and so forth, the details of how
> different language environments work, when deployed on Debian, and
> perhaps which ones are more commonly used in the Debian environment
> can be important topics of discussion (e.g., FAI incorporates shell
> and Perl scripts, and seems to be migrating to cfengine). If one is
> planning a new install, that kind of thing might be of interest (it
> certainly is to me).
>
> So please... get of your high horse.
>
Actually, I was the one on the low horse: I was suggesting that all
information of technical interest to users (at whatever level) of the
Debian operating system is on-topic here, regardless of whether it is
unique to Debian. This is contrary to the prevailing ethos.
--
Joe
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