How to Identify Linux users on a gun forum.

[G.A. Heath]

I mentioned in a thread elsewhere I would post this, so here goes:

How to Identify Linux users on a Firearms Forum:
#1 They prefer guns that are based on a common specification (Milspec for example) and manufactured by more than one company like AR10 or AR15 rifle variants, M9 or M1911 Pistol variants, Single Action Army or Black powder revolvers.
#2 They will use and/or own proprietary designs such as Sigs.
#3 Linux users who are Glock owners will point out the S&W Sigma pistol as proof the Glock is a standardized design implemented by more than one manufacturer.
#4 They expect their firearms to work reliably every time after the initial breakin/tuning period.
#5 Often seek out Anti-gunners so that they may convert them, upon failure will leave them with a Linux live CD and ask them to try a small taste of freedom.
#6 Often equate Open source values with being 100% in line with the Bill Of Rights.
#7 They often assume they are the only Linux user on a Firearms forum.
#8 They first heard the "Parable of the Sheep" associated with ESR (Eric S. Raymond).
#9 They were truly suprised when /. had the "geeks with guns" article (Oct 31, 1998).
#10 They tend to be more technical when looking at a firearm, shooting stance, or related issues.
#11 They often prefer one or the other between customized and unaltered firearms but see nothing wrong with the other, even if it is in bad taste.

I got this about two years ago printed it out, and lost the original email. The hard copy is stained and some things are torn off but I figured I would manually enter what I have that survives since I can't find it via Google. I remember this came from a Linux User Group mailing list, and was the closing email as the list was shut down. There's more than the 11 I posted but they are smugged and the bottom of the paper was torn off. I want to say the original piece was written by a new linux convert on a firearms forum.

[pedalman]

Hey, I resemble that remark!!!!!

[WarHawk-AVG]

#1
#4
#5 partially, I usually hand them a liveCD 1st (DSL Rules!!!! )
#6
#8 sorry mine was Charles Riggs
#10
#11

Yah...I think I fit that bill pretty closely too!

[drw]

#9 They were truly suprised when /. had the "geeks with guns" article (Oct 31, 1998).

My Linux days pre-date my gun toting days, and I remember well when Eric started up his geeks with guns project. I recall being a little repulsed by the bravado that Eric employed when promoting this project. It seemed inappropriate for some reason. Then again, I saw "ESR" as an outsider coming in to try to take over the world of free software, so I guess he couldn't win for losing with those of us in Stallman's camp. It's ten years later and I guess we're still holding a grudge.

Then I met Stallman in person several times, and realized that maybe Eric wasn't so bad after all.

[pbwalker]

Linux user here...trying to convert anyone who will listen! So far, I have converted my Mother, Wife, Aunt, and some friends.

Debian is my distro of choice.

And Vi is the BEST editor out there!

[drw]

And Vi is the BEST editor out there!

Well said! And mutt is the best mail program in the world!

[The Annoyed Man]

Get a Mac!!

[longtooth]

OK, educate the Old Man.
What is a Linux user.????

[gmckinl]

Do I get partial credit?

I've got Ubuntu on one PC and Windows on the rest.

[pbwalker]

Get a Mac!!

Agreed! It's what I use for my laptop...while I have had *nix laptops in the past, it often took hours and hours of configuration to get the Wi-Fi working and I just wanted something that worked. Plus, OS X is built on BSD, so it's *nix-ish! :)

[pbwalker]

OK, educate the Old Man.
What is a Linux user.????

Linux is an operating system like Windows or OS X (Mac) and a 'Linux User' is someone who uses it in lieu of another OS. It's been around for a long time and was based off of the old Unix machines from the 70's and 80's. It used to be that you needed a PhD in Computer Science to get it working, but the internet community has worked together to make an operating system that is on par (in usability) with Windoze. It took me 8 years of supporting a Windows Server environment to see the light and now I run nothing but Linux (and have a Mac laptop).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux

If you'd like to give it a try, there are plenty of "Live CD's" that allow you to boot into Linux and try it without removing Windows. Ubuntu is a prefect example.

There is a slight learning curve if you want to get geeky, but you don't even need to go that far (unless you are like me and need to know how everything works).

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions! I'm always up for converting someone away from Windoze. :)

[KBCraig]

We have:
1 Mac running 10.4 (my 9 year old blue & white, upgraded to G4/800)
1 PC running Ubuntu Hardy Heron (living room, for kids or guests)
1 laptop running Windows XP
1 PC running XP

My ancient Mac is the next to be replaced. Although it's in perfect condition, it's just too slow to keep up with all the Flash and other doodads in this modern world. I'm holding my breath that Apple will listen to us screaming minions and release a non-pro mid-size tower. What I really want is a modern version of my B&W.

Wouldn't mind picking up another laptop and putting Ubuntu on it, either.

[The Annoyed Man]

I'm holding my breath that Apple will listen to us screaming minions and release a non-pro mid-size tower.

That's really the functions of the iMac platform these days. I have a 24" dual core iMac, a 17" dual core MacBook Pro, a 14" G4 iBook, and a 13.5" G4 MacBook. My wife uses the iBook, and my son uses the small MacBook for their personal machines. I use the iMac as my production machine, and the MacBook Pro as my personal/business machine for on the go.

Before I switched over to Macs, I was was taking a hard look at converting my PC to Linux. At the time, I decided not to because of the complexity of setting it all up. If I had not switched to Macs, I would have converted to Linux by now. I despise windows, although I run a copy of XP in a virtual machine on both my dual core Macs so that I can double check my web work in Internet Exploder before releasing it.

[pbwalker]

VMWare Fusion for the win! Although, I should give Parallels a try...

I love it for testing and dev.

[KBCraig]

I'm holding my breath that Apple will listen to us screaming minions and release a non-pro mid-size tower.

That's really the functions of the iMac platform these days.

I know that's their place in the lineup, but I don't want to pay a premium for an included monitor and very limited upgrade paths. Despite the Mac's roots (I have a Fat Mac in the closet), I abhor the all-in-one platform. I prefer modular systems.

I've used this Mac plus one other since 1995 (great hardware longevity), but I've had five different monitors attached. Not to mention that I've used the ZIF feature to upgrade the CPU, and maxed out the RAM, and added (later removed) a SCSI card, and replaced the internal modem (remember those?)...

I just don't accept computers as disposable every three years. With an iMac, I could change the RAM and maybe the HD, but that's it. With a mid-tower, monitors are optional, video cards are optional, RAM is more easily upgradable, there is room to add extra drives, etc., etc.