Re: Article in Kalamazoo Gazette

["Dennis & Sue" <podein@xxxxxxxxxx>]

I originally subscribed to the KLUG list back when Mandrake 6.0 came out (
don't remember when that was exactly). I hooked it up, and lurked, and asked
questions ( looking back, I asked questions that some would consider pretty
stupid ) About the time I started making minimal sense of linux, I sold that
computer. Took some time to get something else to run it on, But that's
another story.I never dropped my suscription, And always followed the list.
In all that time I don't  recall any member of KLUG ever coming across as
arrogant, or unhepful. Or, ever making a statement such as the one you
describe. In fact,  If you follow most threads, you will see a bunch of
suggestions as to what the problem / solution may be. As everyone weighs in,
Most solutions are expanded to include things the original author might have
forgot to note. I expect the "reporter" may have misinterpreted a statement,
or might have asked another question that was easily discovered ( such as :
where's the browser? , It's not on my desktop). Now, as to his "punk"
statement, I personally am offended by that remark ( I know what a punk is,
noone here has ever acted as such). I find it unnecessary in this context,
especially from media personell. Which might indicate the man has a
preconcieved notion about KLUG, it's members, or Linux.Or, he has an agenda.
Anyway, I wouldn't let it go unchallenged. The "punk" to which he refers
should try to recall the conversation, and send a letter to the editor with
his version of this encounter.I would also suggest said letter not be
written in a defensive manner.
----- Original Message -----
From: <jgoodrich@smc.cc.mi.us>
To: <members@kalamazoolinux.org>
Sent: Friday, June 01, 2001 4:09 AM
Subject: Article in Kalamazoo Gazette


> I justed wnated to know if anyone saw the article in the kalamazoo Gazetee
on
> page C3 in Thursady, MAy 31 2001.  "NetBSD even bettter than LINUX"?
>
> If you do not know what I am talking about or do not get the Gazetee the
let me
> quote it
>
>           "I write fuming after reading a letter from KLUG, the Kalamazoo
Linux
> User's Group.  Therein KLUG presents itself eager to assist Linux Newbies.
I
> did not find them so. KLUG directed me with my problem to its chief guru,
who
> told me, and I quote, "Do it yourself or you'll never learn."  Inasmuch as
i
> had bought my first computer while this punk was still in grade school, I
took
> his remark unkindly.  Later, unaided, I found that X windows (the Linux
GUI)
> did not support the too-new NEoMagic chip set on my Gateway laptop.  All I
> learned from KLUG was not to rely on KLUG.  Now that X Windows finally
supports
> NeoMagic, I elected to bypass Linux in favor of a real Unix system:
NetBSD.
> It's every bit as free as Linux and looks to be even more powerful.  BEst
of
> all, the email support from NetBSD.org is more timely, far more helpful,
and
> never snotty or condescending."  Gan Starling-Kalamazoo
>
>  I was just curious if KLUG was going to write back to the editor and give
KLUG
> side.  Three years ago before, I new about Linux, I started at Armstrong
Intl.
> as a Co-op student where I met Burce Smith. Who told me about Linux the OS
and
> about KLUG.  I can not think of the meetings that I went to where any one
told
> me anything like what this man is talking about.  As a matter of fact I
can
> remeber talking to Bob, Chairman at the time, and some other people until
10:00-
> 11:00 at night after the meeting ended talking about problems and what
they
> thought the future of Linux would be.
>
>   In the last couple of months KLUG has been getting alot of good press
from
> the Gazette. I would hate to see the Gazette go from good press of KLUG to
just
> a place where people complain about KLUG in it.  I wish that KLUG as a
group
> would send a letter back to the editor.
>
> --
> Joshua S. Goodrich
> PC Technican
> Southwestern Michiagn College
> Dowagiac, MI 49067
> Phone (616) 783-2126
>
>