Re: LINUX Workstations

[Hans Boldt <boldt@xxxxxxxxxx>]

James Rich wrote:
> ...
> I want people to use linux because it has brought me a lot of
> satisfaction, enjoyment, and made me very productive (and made me money).
> It has saved me a lot of headaches, too.  I've also been frustrated with
> it.  And I have enjoyed learning - and linux gives me the chance to learn
> like no other computer related endeavor that I've undertaken.  It is all
> there, open to view and try and experiment and change.  I want others to
> have the same positive experience.  I don't want you to read the manuals
> or the HOWTO or the README out of some elitist attitude, but because
> learning is the fun part.
>
> I hope that makes sense.

Makes sense. Makes a lot of sense.

IMO, learning new things can never be "elitist".

For me, Linux brought me back to my early experiences of computing 
back in university where all software was readily and willingly 
shared, and writing programs was easy. All that changed in the 
1980's when one particular entrepreneur made it fashionable to 
charge money for software, and when the tools for software 
development always seemed just beyond either the capabilities of my 
home computer or my willingness to pay for them.

But after loading Linux on my home computer, the sheer pleasure of 
programming came back to me. Not only do you get all the development 
tools you need, and not only does it run on machines that weren't 
made obsolete two months ago, but it's all graciously provided at 
little or no cost, and support is no further away than the internet.

Sure, it's not always easy to learn. But everyone here on this list 
is a technical geek of some sort or other, and there's absolutely 
nothing in Linux that's beyond the abilities of anyone here. In many 
ways it's just different.

Like with many things in life, there can be great rewards in 
breaking out of your "comfort zone".

Cheers! Hans