Advocacy vs. Zealotry vs. Who Cares?!? Was RE: [NMLUG] Re: Linux Advocacy FAQ is NOT Linux Advocacy Maxim (RobertDelahunt)

[dlark at cukk.org (Daniel Lark)]

As one has had the pleasure of being chided for using the supposedly
derogatory term "M$" and being preached to about the proper way doing
"advocacy", I think these comments are shallow and very hollow. Let me
explain myself.

1. I am big advocate of FOSS. As a consultant, I actively encourage my
customers to pursue using FOSS wherever feasible. I don't preach the
evils of Microsoft (or really any vendor for that fact). I do give them
fair and honest comparisons of what the costs to fulfill their needs
are. Believe it or not, Microsoft sometimes wins on this.

2. It has been my experience that some of the Microsoft bashers are some
of their biggest proponents. I don't know how many times I've heard
statements like "I wish Redmond would fix this" or "There's got to be a
better way." They bash FOSS only because they don't understand it.
However, they have no particular desire to change.

3. If I'm on a mailing list, IRC channel, etc. that has Linux, Open
Source, etc. in its name, I can be reasonably sure that I am dealing
with people how are of the same mindset. So I call Microsoft Windows
"Windoze" or "Winblows". So I call Microsoft "M$" or "Micro$oft". I
expect this from people in these forums. Likewise they should expect it
from me.

4. I agree with the Advocacy FAQ/HOWTO in dealing with external
organizations. I do, however, expect that in a amongst internal
organizations (LUGs, mailing lists, etc.) I can speak my mind however I
see fit. Microsoft (amongst other entities) would try to seek ways to
limit speech about their products. The OSS community has been (and
hopefully always will be) a truly free speech zone. So we bash M$, who
cares? We bash each other. BSD user bash Linux. Debian users bash RH
users. In short, life's rough wear a cup!

5. If I am seeking advocacy, I would seek out things that are expressly
for this; an IRC channel like #nmlug_advocacy, newsgroups with advocacy
in their name, etc. I don't like nor appreciate reminding (pestering) me
of my so called "obligations" are. I cannot and will not accept this.

Mr. DeLaHunt, please feel advocate how you feel Linux should be
advocated. That is your right, and I would fight to the death to support
that. But understand, kicking people off of an IRC channel for saying
"Windoze" neither encourages advocacy or maintains decorum. All it shows
it that "I'm the channel op. If you don't like how I do things I'll kick
you from the channel." It's kind of hard to buy your form of advocacy
when your actions discourage free speech.

That's just my $0.04 (adjusted for inflation).

-dan