[NTLUG:Discuss] Redhat Offerings -- the Red Hat bashing tour isback!

[Kevin Hulse]

--- "Cameron, Thomas"
<Thomas.Cameron at bankofamerica.com> wrote:
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: discuss-bounces at ntlug.org
> [mailto:discuss-bounces at ntlug.org]On
> > Behalf Of Kermit Jones
> > Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2004 1:50 PM
> > To: NTLUG Discussion List
> > Subject: Re: [NTLUG:Discuss] Redhat Offerings --
> the Red Hat bashing
> > tour isback!
> > 
> > 
> > I wasn't going to get in on this, but I felt it
> was time.  
> > First, I'm a 
> > bit disappointed at the "My opinion is better than
> yours." attitude.  
> > That's not what these lists, or any, for that
> matter, should be about.
> 
> I don't think that my opinion is better than
> anyone's.  I *know* that opinions are like...  Um,
> elbows.  ;-)  The objection that I have is when
> people voice their opinions based on bad/untrue
> information.  It hurts the Linux community and Linux
> as it is represented to potential new users.  If
> some self-proclaimed expert approaches a potential
> F/OSS customer/convert/user and starts spewing about
> how Red hat is bad because they screwed the
> community, it is factually incorrect and presents a
> fractious view of the F/OSS community.  That's what
> gets my goat.

That's assinine. Simply by using the term "F/OSS 
community" you acknowledge the fractious nature of
the Linux community. Whether that is a good thing,
or bad is a matter of philosophy. Those issues need
to be addressed explicitly rather than trying to
whitewash the situation.

At the very least, new users need to be informed
that they will be expected to make meaningful
choices. This isn't used car sales here.