Lyle, Brilliantly stated!!!!! Lynn On Wed, May 19, 2010 at 7:00 AM, Lyle Tuttle wrote: > I agree, the OT thread stated above has gone on far too long and caused a > lot of unnecessary strife. > > as for the political (and human) situation we find ourselves in, this quote > seems most > appropriate: > "The avalanche has already started... It is too late for the pebbles to > vote." - Kosh (babylon 5 tv series season 3) > > > At great risk, I will say this: > > I joined this list to learn more about Linux. I did use Windows in every > computer I own, including our business. I want to migrate away from that > never-ending money pit, but at the same time be comfortable that there are > the resources available to maintain a Linux system. > > From an outsider's view, it has been interesting. I've met and visited > with people who are outside my 'normal' circle, and I find that refreshing. > Some 35 or so years ago, I was in such a group, but left to find other work, > but I always watched from the sideline to see what was happening, > computer-wise. > > Having been "retired" for several years, I felt it was time to 'get > serious' about an alternate OS, and after some research, picked Linux, and > joined PLUG. I tried to stay semi-hidden and low-key to bring myself up to > speed, but I have found that my life has almost always revolved around my > attempts to make every place I go somewhat better (at least in my eyes?), > and I found the Linux Community to be no different in that respect. > > Recognizing that newbies need to pay their dues, I contributed to the group > by sitting at the sign-in desk while the forums were going on at the ABLE > Conference (Did not get to see even one full presentation), I attended > installfests, hackfests, and meetings on the "west" side. I tried to figure > out what all those German phrases meant (sorry Hans) and why we would use > them, finally after asking some long-time members about them, did as they > did, and just ignored them. When we lost our "West Side" meeting location, > I found a location, albeit ever FURTHER East....dang it! At that time, I > indicated that my schedule would not allow me to locate speakers, but I > would do the location, and I would still watch for a location further West > to accommodate those who live "out here"..... I quickly learned that if you > offer your assistance, more responsibility is thrust upon you, and suddenly, > the emails you send privately get "lost", and no response is received.....so > you find yourself with a location but no program - not a good deal, so you > end up doing what you said you could not.....(Crying now over ) > > The end result is that I have added Linux to several 'play' computers, and > am more comfortable than I was, but still not ready to make the entire > switch. As my businesses are in a rural area of America, not here in the > metro area, I feel i still need to gain more knowledge first. > > Every event I attend, every posting on this list, every conversation I have > with a Linux user gives me a tad bit more understanding, and I am 'getting > there'. > > My unsolicited thoughts on the OT posting is this: Each of us has > interests and knowledge outside of the Linux world. When we meet face to > face, we talk about them. Why should it be any different here? If there is > interest, there will replies; if not, there will not. As you look back at > the number of posts, it seems the most responded to are OT, but it in no way > diminishes the real value of the "on-topic" posts - but if you look, you > will see some 'lurkers' who, I suppose like me, are not knowledgeable enough > to post Linux items, but watch and learn and then participate when something > comes along that they feel comfortable with. > > This is far too long, so let me stop now with the thought that led to this > post: > > "The avalanche has already started... It is too late for the pebbles to > vote." > > Yes, it has started, but it is not too late for the pebbles to vote. You > have two choices: > > 1. Sit back, complain and do nothing else, in which case, Kosh is correct. > > 2. do something, even if it is talking about the issues > > If you think Kosh is correct, filter out the OT, that's why it is there. > However, look at all the thoughts and ideas that have surfaced during this > discussion...... > > If you think the PLUG people have thoughts and can contribute outside of > LINUX, then do something. In this particular issue we EACH will decide, at > some point, which direction America will turn. We will decide by our vote. > You can do as I did with Linux, and dip you toe into politics (oooh, what a > nasty word!!! ) by becoming a PRECINCT COMMITTEEMAN in your own neighborhood > (ask me if you want), and share your thoughts with your neighbors to > influence their votes, or you can withdraw into your own Linux world. > > WE make the world that we live in, like it or not. > > lyle > > > > > --------------------------------------------------- > PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us > To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: > http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss > > -- Best Regards, Lynn P. Tilby UNIX Consultant Ph: 480 632-8635 unixprgrmr01@gmail.com