Re: [LI] Linux India and Debian

[Arun Sharma <adsharma@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Sun, Nov 21, 1999 at 11:44:38AM +0530, skhader@xxxxxxxxxx wrote:
> Hello Folks,
> This is about a User Group being specifically created for Debian Users in
> India.

You probably expected to get the kind of reaction that you got. I think
having a debian users group is only a matter of time. The more we try
to supress it, the more of an underground movement it becomes. And 
underground movements are far more powerful than mainstream ones.

So, if you wish to have a debian users group and a mailing list, have it
by all means. After all, India is a free country. But make sure that it 
doesn't exclude LI. The Linux movement has already shown you the advantages
of the network effects. So it is important for you and whoever is planning
to join the list to still spend some part of your time to LI - contributing
to the network effects.

Also, most of us are not surprised that this kind of a move is coming from
the debian user community and not Caldera or SuSE users. I like the 
religious fervor that debian guys tend to have. If it was not for that
spirit, we would not have Linux. Ken Thompson's 'knee jerk reaction' quote
comes to mind. Though it was not hugely popular among the Linux masses, it
had an element of truth in it.

Another word of unsolicited advice - when you have a lot of energy and
passion to do something, step back for a moment and think about your goals.
Do you see free software as an end in itself or means to an end ? Or is
your goal to get a 'guru' status in a group that appreciates your knowledge
relevant to the group ?

Let me make a confession here - I like the quality of BSD kernel
source code and their licensing policies better than Linux. I read and
participate in several BSD user groups. But I still continue to spend
a big chunk of my time on LI, because I think Linux has the best chance
of survival right now and I gain the most out of the 'network effects' by
being with LI. For example, if I want a commercial program foo, I'm more
likely to get it if I ask for a 'Linux port' rather than a 'FreeBSD port'
or 'Debian GNU/Linux port'.

To reiterate - unity is strength. Pay attention or suffer.

	-Arun

PS: For those of you curious about my thoughts about BSD:
http://sharmas.dhs.org/~adsharma/opinions/bsd.txt 
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