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Free Speech

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creedon:
I believe in free speech; it's a fundimental right. In my country (USA), there have been many people who have suffered greatly for it.
It's also one of the easiest rights to abuse; the practice of trolling is a perfect example.  It strikes me that this forum has an abundance of individuals who feel that they must defend their position towards the operating systems that Microsoft licenses, I don't have a problem with that, everyone is entitled to their opinion- my opinion is that Linux is superior to the Microsoft closed-source system.  I do think that the way a number of these people present their arguments is objectionable; on that basis, I'll be more than happy to respond in kind; if someone presents a reasonable argument, in a reasonable way I'm happy to engage in discourse, however, if someone merely rants about Linux being useless, or just engages in namecalling, I have no problem with giving it back.
The problem lies with how serious the computing community will regard this forum; if they see a group that avocates Linux in a reasonable manner is one thing, if they see a bunch of name-calling idiots, they'll never take us seriously, and that's not acceptable to me.  I believe in open-source.  I think that Microsoft is not working in the best interest of their users, and I want to see that change.  The fact that the federal government agrees with me gives me hope, but money talks, and Microsoft has lots of money.  
The best hope of the Linux (and open-source) community is forums like this one, where people who use and like Linux can express opinions in an open forum, and those who choose to use the Microsoft system can express their views in a reasonable manner.
This post is just to put all the chronic trolls on notice: say what you want to,I'm not responding anymore.  I've made my position clear; I don't need to defend it.

Sleeping Dog:
HERE, HERE!

I strongly second those sentiments....well expressed and strongly endorsed!

Sleeping Dog

Refalm:
You've got a point there Creedon... but some people are just impossible (I'm not calling any names [cough]Windows XP User #5225982375 and Flaming Bag of Poo[/cough])

Some haven't tried anything else than Windows yet and begin to rant everything about anything else than Windows.

I'm guessing that only 30% of all Windows users that come here aren't Bill Gates' *ss-kissers... to those people, we can have a good discussion about the advantiges and disadvantiges of Microsoft's products, instead of a flame war.

[ August 10, 2002: Message edited by: Refalm ]

creedon:

quote:Originally posted by Refalm:
You've got a point there Creedon... but some people are just impossible (I'm not calling any names [cough]Windows XP User #5225982375 and Flaming Bag of Poo[/cough])

Some haven't tried anything else than Windows yet and begin to rant everything about anything else than Windows.

I'm guessing that only 30% of all Windows users that come here aren't Bill Gates' *ss-kissers... to those people, we can have a good discussion about the advantiges and disadvantiges of Microsoft's products, instead of a flame war.

[ August 10, 2002: Message edited by: Refalm ]
--- End quote ---


Oh, I wouldn't want to single out any SPECIFIC INDIVIDUALS, but I agree with you; if some one has a valid argument, I have no problem; it's the trolling idiots who actively try to make people angry, and get into childish name-calling exchanges that give the impression that Linux users are a bunch of immature fools.  It's been my experience that most Linux users are quite intelligent; they have the resources to use an (admittedly) more difficult operating system, and they choose to do it becaue they like it.  I can't understand the mental process of a troll who thinks that, by insulting someone, they can change that persons mind; but that's not my concern, I'm worried about the perception of the Linux community; I don't want it to be seen as not serious about Linux/open-source.

Sleeping Dog:
.......Which begs the question......"Why would such big Windows fans find it necessary to spend so much time in a UNIX/LINUX forum other than to attempt creating discord?"

Enquiring minds want to know....

Sleeping Dog

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