Linux Loyalist Party
Douglas Chick
 Which computer users group do you belong, the
Microsoft Monopoly Corp, the Netware Historical Foundation, or the Linux
Loyalist Party? There is a division among computer people to which is the better
network operating system and many people have drawn the line and taken up
arms in an almost religious like fashion. It is a bitter battle that is
often fought with e-mail, in newsgroups and on bulletin boards. I’ve seen
heated arguments that resulted in profanity, accusing the others of being
spies for Microsoft, or in one such case, demon disciples of Microsoft and
the Cult of the Penguin.
I’ve been a network administrator/engineer for a long
time now and I have had no allegiance with any corporate software maker. In my career I’ve used Unix, Netware, Windows, Linux,
and Banyan Vines. All of which have had their place and also this problems. It’s nice
to want to belong to a group and because of this many software companies pander to these feelings
and use them to keep their members list. Every cause has its evil empire
that must be fought. (In computers its the company that has the most market
shares) Every group has its devoted and every group is justified in its
actions.
Another Networker recently told me that Linux reminded
him of a political party like communism because its users act more like
members than operators. He said that its followers preach equality and
fairness, but use bully tactics to anyone that disagrees with their
viewpoint. He sites that like communism, because Linux has sold itself as
the freeware of the people, it has caused a dramatic reduction in the
salaries to all networkers and administrators. Sean didn’t want me to use
his full name because he was afraid that Linux Loyalist would retaliate
against him or cause him problems at his work.
I have noticed that a great many have taken their operating systems beliefs to an almost
fundamentalist state. And this bothers
me a lot. There are a lot of bitter Netware
Administrators, Unix Administrators and Microsoft Administrators. Humans are
a very tribal people and are willing to fight for what they believe. But I
say if you're going to fight, choose the right battle. It’s a nice feeling to belong to a group or
association that shares a common belief, follows a similar doctrine and
congregate together to show that their numbers are strong and the faith is
true. The enemy will always be the group that is the largest or most
enterprising, the underdogs will always be crying foul, and a network
operating system is only as good as its operator as a religion is only as
good as its followers.
Update:
I wrote the above article over a year ago and
wanted to update it a little. And since no one really read it, I felt
comfortable re-printing it as new with just one update.
Recently I've
really gotten into Linux and only thought I knew the software, and must
admit how much I like it. I can see why so many people have become such nuts
over the program. I can not believe just how much support there is and how
many programs available. Currently I am studying all the programs that are
included with Knoppix-STD and must
say how utterly impressed I am with how clever Linux programmers are. So, if
there were such a group that called themselves The Linux Loyalty Party, then
sign me up.
DougChick@thenetworkadministrator.com
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