Linux' "Dirty Little Secret"

Written by Karl Martineau
August 14th, 2009

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When I first tried Linux a few years ago, I did so without the help and support of any close friends or family members. Without that source of support and information, I was forced to practice my Google search skills quite a bit as I tried to get everything working and configured the way I wanted. While I found quite a bit of information that was useful and helpful, I also noted a disturbing trend in many of the forums.

Some Linux users want to keep it "pure", which means that anybody who isn't already a hard-core geek will be mocked and ridiculed mercilessly for asking simple questions. Now this is definitely not true of every Linux forum out there, but if you're thinking of trying Linux, you should be prepared to be derided as a "n00b" at least once or twice.

One of the main reasons that I ended up using Ubuntu is that I found their support forums friendly and helpful, and they're not afraid to incorporate proprietary software in order to make it easier for you to use. On the other end of the spectrum was Fedora, a very polished and pretty operating system apparently designed for the elite open source geek. I found their forums very unfriendly and unhelpful, and as a result switched to another distribution within a few days because I simply was not able to get the help that I needed.

Now I'll admit that I'm no Linux kernel developer, but I'm not a tech-deprived softwarephobe by any means. And if they made me feel unwelcome, I feel sorry for any other new users who opt to try that system. I mentioned in an article yesterday that money for advertising was a huge hurdle to the growth of Linux, but unfriendly users may be just as big a hurdle to growth.

If a movement such as Linux/open source isn't growing, it's slowly dying. So if we want Linux around for the future, we need to make sure it's growing. And the only way that can happen is if we welcome new users with open arms, even if they are computer novices. In the end you're only hurting yourself by chasing away new users.

Open source software should be the epitome of "open", which includes the need to be welcoming to all. And if you're getting too many "stupid questions" about your software, maybe you should look at revamping it with the end user in mind.

Welcome to Nillabyte's new Linux and Open Source column. We're very excited about open source software and the many great options that it offers, and we hope that we can share that with you through this section of our site!

Filed Under: Open Source & Linux

Comments 13

Comments

1. Unfortunate Experience Your experience with the Fedora Forums is regrettable. I really hope this doesn't taint your perception of an entire distribution based on that. There are plenty of other places to get help, such as the forums at linuxquestions.org, where behavior such as what you experienced, is frowned upon. I've never posted in the official fedora forums, but have been using Fedora for years. It's possible to use a fantastic, solid Linux distribution without needing to rely on unfriendly help.

   Posted August 15th, 2009 at 01:55 PM by Wayne (guest)

2. Wayne, I think you may have missed the point of the article. Karl obviously likes Linux, but it seems to me that he feels that many Linux users are Linux's biggest issue. And I agree. I am a Linux lover, but there are some fans of every distro that bug the crap out of me. If Fedora wants to better its image, they shouldn't have to rely on other forums and sites to help the Fedora brand appear friendly. It's Fedora's image, and they should deal with it.

   Posted August 15th, 2009 at 02:37 PM by Jimbo (guest)

3. 	welcoming Very good point. I am not a technophobe, but I also don't write code. The current Linux desktop distros have a lot going for them, and I have left most of Windows behind. However, there are still rough spots and work to do - the more we can be helpful, the more likely Linux desktop apps will be a part of our future. Gordon Small
   	Posted August 15th, 2009 at 02:40 PM by Unregistered (guest)

4. 	I thoroughly agree. Linux will never get more than 2% market share inless its users get more friendly.
   	Posted August 15th, 2009 at 04:07 PM by funkyal

5. ATL at ScotsNewsletter Forums ATL (All Things Linux) Forums at ScotsNewsletter Forums is also a growing and welcoming group of Linux users. Bruno and his moderators have done everything in his/their power to help anyone who has a question about any distro in Linux. Bruno has shepherded so many Linux users that they return the favor by also helping others in ATL. Some are also part of Ubuntu's forums and LinuxQuestions as well. Like many, I too had a bad go the first time I started out with Linux, and the lack of response to my Linux problems was so bad I gave up for a year or so, but came back to Linux because my hubby didn't give up. He is a great teacher with a wonderful attitude and the patience of Job (as the saying goes). I think the thing to remember is: just as there are many different types of distros, there are also many types of Linux users. If you have a bad experience, don't give up. Linux is worth the search for a helpful forum, and/or friend where you can to get your questions answered, get started, overcome obstacles, and learn along the way. There are local LUGs (Linux User Groups) where you can get help too. Try all avenues. Different people have different levels of expertise, frustration levels, desire to learn, and so many other things play a factor. Find your niche, and learn, then maybe you can turn around and help others. Linux and Open Source are about freedom; total freedom. If one teaches well, the student learns to teach himself in time, and will in turn usually, but not always - and it certainly is not a requirement - help others along the path. Bambi AKA LilBambi BambisMusings.WordPress.com Forums.ScotsNewsletter.com - All Things Linux (ATL)

   Posted August 15th, 2009 at 04:07 PM by BambisMusings (guest)

6. 	I have run into a few Linux guys that could be rough but I often wondered if they were paid to mess with noobs in the forums. Most have been great. When I help a noob I try not to give the answer but where or how to find it unless they show that they are trying to help themselves up front. Many that post in the forums are just trolls looking to be feed and can was a lot of time.
   	Posted August 15th, 2009 at 07:42 PM by here2serve (guest)

7. 	What? @ here2serve so, people find you for help, and you are happy to help by sending them somewhere else? Sounds like an experience I recently had at Walmart.
   	Posted August 15th, 2009 at 11:32 PM by Sarah (guest)

8. 	Nocturnal Slacker I have to 2nd Li'l Bambi's comments about Bruno and the gang over at Scot's Newsletter Forums - All Things Linux. My first experiences with GNU/Linux were accompanied by much patient assistance from Bruno, et. al. over there at Scot's. Stop on in there sometime. Tell 'em I sent you. Regards, ~Eric P.S. Excellent blog, by the way. You've been bookmarked.
   	Posted August 16th, 2009 at 02:01 AM by V. T. Eric Layton (guest)

9. Regrettable @ Jimbo - I do not believe I missed the point. Point was Karl dismissed Fedora for Ubuntu based on the perceived unfriendliness of the members of its support forum. Not based on technical merit and suitability for whichever task. My point, if you're paying attention, is that the culture of a small group of users should not dissuade anyone from using what they want to use. This is why I suggest other forums, some of which get far more traffic, and more than likely do not come across as elitist.

   Posted August 16th, 2009 at 05:52 PM by Wayne (guest)

10. 	Do your homework @ Sarah - I'm with here2serve on this one, I am more likely to help someone who has made an effort toward the solution of their issue. Where I differ from here2serve, is that the ones who have not done their own work and shown where they are stuck, I just ignore. At least here2serve is kind enough to clue the person in as to why they are getting few to no responses.
    	Posted August 16th, 2009 at 06:05 PM by Wayne (guest)

11. Regrettable Quote: From Wayne . . . . the culture of a small group of users should not dissuade anyone from using what they want to use. But unfortunately this does happen at times I can't speak for Jimbo, but I think he does have a point. True, there are friendly, courteous, and helpful sites/forums centered around Fedora, but some people's initial experience with some of its users may turn them off from Linux completely. That's just the way some people are. IMHO, an organization, open source or not, should not have to rely on outsiders or other organizations for good press and good public relations. I am very thankful that there are other sites/forums centered around Linux that are friendly and courteous, but unfortunately not all people stumble upon them.

    Posted August 16th, 2009 at 06:10 PM by Kyle Buckley

12. @ Wayne and Here2serve, although you are both well intentioned, your actions may appear to some new Linux users to be snotty. There is no way to tell if a user asking you questions on forms has already done his or her homework before posting the questions. When I go to forum to ask questions for anything, it is always the last resort and when I'm brushed aside by users or treated like a 10-year old, I never return. When people post questions on support forums, they don't want a philosophy or be shown a way to find the answer; they want the answer itself. Doing otherwise or ignoring the person will leave the visitor with a bad experience.

    Posted August 17th, 2009 at 07:01 PM by NickVoo (guest)

13. 	One of the reasons I gave up on Linux was due to haughtiness from many of its users. I didn't want to associate with that.
    	Posted August 18th, 2009 at 02:04 AM by davenelson

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