maxo <maxo@nospamhome.se> wrote:> For a nonacademic newsgroup, there seems to be quite an overwhelming> bunch of Linux and other non MS users on this group. >
(you can tell what somebody's using by looking at their headers)>
Either it's a gear-head thing, as alternative OS's require a bit of> technical know-how, or perhaps just nerds like bikes?
I imagine Usenet in general has a higher *N*X user population than most other venues of discussion. That might account for some of the effect. And I think that anyone who rides a bike habitually is likely to be more comfortable being outside the cultural norm.
Of course, some of us take that farther than others...
-- Dane Jackson - z u v e m b i @ u n i x b i g o t s . o r g "He who laughs last probably made a back-up" -Murphy's Laws of Computing #7
On Thu, 14 Apr 2005 10:05:02 -0700, Dane Jackson wrote:
I imagine Usenet in general has a higher *N*X user population than most> other venues of discussion. That might account for some of the effect.
Definitely, that's part of it, as my local Nashville group seems to be about 5-10% *nix users, and it's not like you often hear the phrase, "so I opened a bash shell, ya'll..." at the local bbq joint. LOL
I'm thinking, that at least here in Nashville, a good number of serious cyclists are connected to universities and academia where they might pick up such computing habits.
maxo <maxo@nospamhome.se> wrote:> On Thu, 14 Apr 2005 10:05:02 -0700, Dane Jackson wrote:>
I imagine Usenet in general has a higher *N*X user population than most>> other venues of discussion. That might account for some of the effect.>
Definitely, that's part of it, as my local Nashville group seems to be> about 5-10% *nix users, and it's not like you often hear the phrase, "so> I opened a bash shell, ya'll..." at the local bbq joint. LOL>
I'm thinking, that at least here in Nashville, a good number of serious> cyclists are connected to universities and academia where they might pick> up such computing habits.
Either that, or cycling is a *gateway* to using *N*X systems. First it's just a little Perl script to log your cycling miles, next you start fiddling with rtin to post to the newsgroup instead of Outlook. Next thing you know you're using rsync to backup your log files to a computer on the other side of the continent over SSH. But it's not like you *have* to use it, you can stop any time you want. Soon you're compiling Gentoo on some Pentium 100 that had been used as a doorstop. But, it's cold out, and it's putting out plenty of nice heat which you're using to dry out your cycling gloves and shoes...
-- Dane Jackson - z u v e m b i @ u n i x b i g o t s . o r g "Contrary to popular belief, penguins are not the salvation of modern technology. Neither do they throw parties for the urban proletariat."
On Fri, 15 Apr 2005 07:30:09 -0700, Peter Cole wrote:
It sucks, but brain garbage sucks worse.
Brain garbage is why I use an "alternative" OS. I'm no geek at all, just want computing with zero fuss. Linux installed on my box with zero config needed and just worked, including the newsreader Pan.
Nothing wrong with XP, I just don't have time for it to d/l all the "updates" it always seems to need on dial up.
In article <1113575409.010829.67790@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>, "Peter Cole" <peter_cole@comcast.net> writes:
But to answer the question, I wrote my first program 40 years ago, and> have used a broad variety of languages, environments and OS's as a> working software engineer. I though Unix was hopelessly geeky 20 years> ago, I used to joke with my wife about it (she taught a Unix course).> Now, it's completely absurd. I can't be bothered with any of that brain> garbage. I don't even bother with a news reader anymore, never mind a> Linux one. This is posted from the Google beta. It sucks, but brain> garbage sucks worse.
That's sort of how I feel about bicycle computers -- they're something to outgrow. But now I have to live without being able to brag about my winter mileage. I think I'll survive. Except lately I've been compelled for some reason to write a ride-logging app, which sux because my original intention was to create a big, cycling themed collage on a doorskin 4x8.
cheers, Tom
-- -- Nothing is safe from me. Above address is just a spam midden. I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca
On Fri, 15 Apr 2005 18:22:39 -0700, Peter Cole wrote:
maxo wrote:>>
Nothing wrong with XP, I just don't have time for it to d/l all the>> "updates" it always seems to need on dial up.>
Dial up, geeez, where do you live, Mongolia?
BB around here means having to get a package deal with a very evil cable company, there are no other options. For usenet and email, dial up is more than sufficient.
Just zis Guy, you know? wrote:> On Thu, 14 Apr 2005 15:31:56 GMT, maxo <maxo@NOSPAMhome.se> wrote in> message <pan.2005.04.14.15.31.48.362055@NOSPAMhome.se>:>
For a nonacademic newsgroup, there seems to be quite an overwhelming>>bunch of Linux and other non MS users on this group. >
Once you discover the efficiency and freedom of cycle transport you> start looking for efficiency and freedom elsewhere too >
Guy
I am on Windows now, LINUX later, maybe even DOS, depending on my mood and what software I need to use. Why follow the word of Gates (to Hell). Bill Baka (multi boot computer guy).
