We want the world to switch to Apple or Linux or anything else that isn’t Windows. We want the world to use Open Source software. We know it would be so cool to get everyone free of proprietary software.
The problem is we have egos that cause a barrier for everyone else to join in. Some people come up to you asking what is Linux and you laugh. Inside you think that they don’t deserve to use such software. Stick with Windows you think and never even realize that we are going against what we want.
What makes geeks feel so special? Is it the fact that we can master stuff that the “other” people can’t? We are the early adopters of the world. We enjoy being on the cutting edge of technology. When everyone starts using Linux or Macs, will we still find them cool?
We want one thing, but act another. How do I…RTFM. Where do…ever heard of Google? We want our technology to rule the world, just as long as only we are using it. Geeks are odd people. Open Source doesn’t always mean Open Community I guess.
The best way to get advice out of a linux guru is to stick your finger down his throat… oh, wait, that’s a Vogon.
Insult linux. Linux sucks because I can’t do {what you’re trying to figure out} and it’s really easy in Windows. Post it on a linux board somewhere. Where you were ignored and told to RTFM before, you’ll receive a dozen condescending explanations of how to do what you want to do, how very simple it is, and how vastly superior to windows it is, if you only had the brains to comprehend it, you poor, pathetic luser. But you get your answer right quick.
Just have to know how to milk the cow… or vogon… or something like that.
I know exactly what you mean.
I think that geeks are used to being in conversations on a much higher technical level, and when someone comes around asking about what linux is or what a ‘cookie’ is (I get that one all the time), it is frustrating to bring down the complexity of conversational topics to adhere to a normal user’s technical background.
Something to notice is how poorly an uber geek will treat a newb, but then when another uber geek rolls around it’s like a natural best friend scenario.
On that note however, when it comes to me trying to actually get something done on linux (apparently people are able to be productive on it) I have never run into condescending people… usually geeks are very receptive to my naiveness.
It just silly the mentality we have towards other people at times. I mean we don’t know everything and there are many times where I felt stupid not knowing what the latest geek trend was about.