Linux Needs Critics 1127
An anonymous reader writes "Keir Thomas berates the fact that the world of Linux almost entirely lacks critics. In fact, he says, Linux people tend to see genuine critical evaluation as a bad thing. FTA: 'The problem with this anti-criticism approach is that it's damning Linux to an eternity of navel gazing. Nothing can ever get any better. The best hope we have are the instances where a few bright sparks, with their heads screwed on the right way, get together and make something cool (as happened with, say, Firefox back in the day). But that's rare and can't be relied upon.'"
shut up (Score:0, Funny)
it's free, why are you complaining?
I criticized Linux.... (Score:5, Funny)
...and all I got was this lousy mod rating
Let me be the first critic (Score:5, Funny)
Heretic! (Score:2, Funny)
Critics (Score:5, Funny)
On the positive side, there are more Linux critics than Mac critics.
If you are critical of Linux, you are just berated.
If you are critical of Mac, you are mobbed, beaten, lynched and never allowed to buy a cappuccino again.
Bullshit... (Score:5, Funny)
...Linux is above criticism. What we actually need is a: "-1, Microsoft fanboy" mod... or how about "-1, Dissing Linux"... or even better "-1, Heresy"...
Re:Agreed. (Score:5, Funny)
HERETIC!
Oh I'm sorry, this is abuse. Arguments is in 12a.
Critcism == "Wrong vs. Right" (Score:5, Funny)
In order to critique something you must have a baseline of what is correct and what is incorrect. The only thing incorrect in the linux/GNU OSes are coding bugs, not design features, and I think we have enough coders critiquing linux/GNU in that way. If the author wishes a community to criticize Linux, I think he should pick a distro and start there.
Re:Let me be the first critic (Score:5, Funny)
No it doesn't. Not at all. Suppose you buy a new printer and find it doesn't work with linux. All you have to do is a post a comment on one of the 100,000 different linux discussion sites asking if someone can't produce a driver for it. And then, magically, just a few weeks later, someone with a name like Songeyong Jooeypop will post one for you to download, and it will even come with excellent install instructions like, "Please to be installing driver software for the printing! Always be remembering to install in correct dir or else to be compiling with kernel property. Happiness first! If problems are having to be had, be writing to me at fnordboi@flqoozlepop.xq"
Uh oh. Did I just criticise linux?
Re:Maybe Linux needs more trolling journalists? (Score:2, Funny)
The linux community needs JonKatz as it's primary spokesman.
Voices from the HellKernel:
Here is Frankie P Bagadonuts. He's a Linux user. He's 17 years old and lives in an abandoned warehouse near the "bad side" of the train tracks. Every morning he rides a bicycle hooked to his generator to power his network. He has not eaten in 2 days, however his "boxen" power on in 16.453794221 seconds. He is immensely proud of this fact, and has made t-shirts proclaiming his greatness. Later today, at school, he will be stuffed into 3 different lockers and have a ham-sandwich stuff down his shirt and be the recipient of 9 atomic-wedgies. Do not pity Frankie, for his is a common tale of the linux user.
Yeah, I could totally see that coming from him.
Re:Nonsense (Score:5, Funny)
Only if you happen to be a programmer and have no life.
I'm on slashdot posting about the fact that if you don't like linux you can change it. it's a given isn't it ?
Anonymous Coward's law? (Score:5, Funny)
As the discussion grows even longer, the probability that someone will mod that post insightful approaches 1.
The problem with Linux criticism (Score:5, Funny)
Things usually go like this:
Re:Hit the nail on the head (Score:3, Funny)
> Why can't I make an icon on my desktop like I have for the last thirteen years?" ...another bad example that's been out of date for a long time now.
OTOH, someone might have tried asking about GNOME in a Ratpoison group or somesuch.
Re:Let me be the first critic (Score:4, Funny)
Now, I recognize that ATi hasn't been as "forthcoming" with driver source / documentation as some other companies. This is where the Linux folks can say it's "not my fault." The reality, though, is that it is a barrier to entry, and therefore it is their problem.
Somewhere there's an IRC channel where this post gets linked. "Wow guys," says one Linux hacker, "this dude has a point." "Yeah he does," agrees another. "Let's get right on this. I wonder why we never thought of this before?" In two weeks, a perfectly functional ATI driver is available.
Thanks, Moryath. You've done us all a great service.
TFA is correct. Proof: (Score:3, Funny)
RS
Grade "A" A-holes (Score:2, Funny)
A majority of Linux users are total fucking assholes. I'm not going to sugar coat it to keep my karma high. They believe they are superior because they believe they are using a superior OS. Every criticism will be drown in a sea of fallacies, lies, and ignorance. Because attacking Linux means you are attacking their choice. A choice they made in large part to be different.
Could the same be said about Windows or Mac users? Or perhaps people who prefer GM over Toyota? Yes, but it's not black and white. The percentage ratio of "normal people" to "real assholes" is way off balance with Linux. Something I believe was inherited by old Unix veterans themselves.
Does Linux need more critics? Not really. It's users just need to grow up so they will listen to the ones they have now. It won't happen.