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Why does Linux and *nix in general scare people into thinking all it\'s users are hackers?
Since Linux was born it has been adapted by many, many users. One of the best features is that it can be transformed to work with nearly anything: Linux ipods, consoles running linux, PDAs and every pc that can be built. Like many of us:
If we were to require a hacker and we got two different applications, one being either mac/windows user the other using linux who would you choose to question first? Odds are we would probably choose to interview the Linux guy / gal first. So why is this become the norm? It's because of the command line in Linux, the feature to change a setting on the fly or run a few commands to get something custom done is so easy and so well integrated. Depending on which Distro you use the 'terminal' or 'Konsole' is a direct feed or door into the inter-workings of the operating system. As you can imagine this usually involves at lot of text and commands. So then it's too bad that the mainstream media such as news, movies, and those cheapo tv series: make hackers to be older people sitting in front of a monitor with line after line of scary looking code scrolling down the screen.
To nearly anyone who has seen such a media product, watching a Linux user do a simple task; would seem like hardcore xXx hacking and they would right away think the worst about what you are doing. Hacking has become a thing in society, almost an accepted fact, every person you see may not be able to hack but they would have an honest idea of how to use a computer and technology. So is this an issue, a problem? Not really everyone considers Windows to be a gaming / work horse will mac is commonly known as the media system with photoshop and final cut pro etc. However if you are stuck in front of a jury for hacking offenses and they see a mac it would look ok, if they saw a Windows pc, nearly everyone in the room would think of it as a harmless thing but if they were to stick Linux in front of them with the 'scary' lines of doom then that would get them talking. The problem is that Linux has no pushers, no ads, no billboards, stickers, promotions or a home. Linux is everyone that uses it and is up to them to create the software they need and redistribute it. Soon a lot of tools are combined and the core is launched again with a few more tools and bells added onto it.
IF LINUX had a backer it could be shown as harmless and not shown as a weapon. Parody remakes of the mac ads show Linux up staging the two systems- pc and mac but people seeing that (if you have ever read the comments on youtube (I don't recommend it though)), the angry fans of mac or Pc claim that only nerds need apply for Linux. And the Linux crowd come jumping back with oh yeah we have open source and everything is free (which mind you is stupid because with torrent sites EVERYTHING is free) we also have a fully functioning os which we can do anything with, without getting fined. And that's true Linux is 'sofware libre' and may be given out to as many people as you want.
So after this all this: what can we do? Well there is a lot we can do as a team not a lot we can do as an individual- as a group we must show off the Linux os for it's features, speak calmly to people who hate it and not give into their abuse or flaming. It is our job to spread the word about Linux as a open two way OS for everyone to enjoy and add a little piece of yourself into the project. Hopefully people you have strong thoughts against *nix in general read this and understand that yes, Linux can be used as a weapon; but can't mac or windows?
Hope you enjoyed the read.
If we were to require a hacker and we got two different applications, one being either mac/windows user the other using linux who would you choose to question first? Odds are we would probably choose to interview the Linux guy / gal first. So why is this become the norm? It's because of the command line in Linux, the feature to change a setting on the fly or run a few commands to get something custom done is so easy and so well integrated. Depending on which Distro you use the 'terminal' or 'Konsole' is a direct feed or door into the inter-workings of the operating system. As you can imagine this usually involves at lot of text and commands. So then it's too bad that the mainstream media such as news, movies, and those cheapo tv series: make hackers to be older people sitting in front of a monitor with line after line of scary looking code scrolling down the screen.
To nearly anyone who has seen such a media product, watching a Linux user do a simple task; would seem like hardcore xXx hacking and they would right away think the worst about what you are doing. Hacking has become a thing in society, almost an accepted fact, every person you see may not be able to hack but they would have an honest idea of how to use a computer and technology. So is this an issue, a problem? Not really everyone considers Windows to be a gaming / work horse will mac is commonly known as the media system with photoshop and final cut pro etc. However if you are stuck in front of a jury for hacking offenses and they see a mac it would look ok, if they saw a Windows pc, nearly everyone in the room would think of it as a harmless thing but if they were to stick Linux in front of them with the 'scary' lines of doom then that would get them talking. The problem is that Linux has no pushers, no ads, no billboards, stickers, promotions or a home. Linux is everyone that uses it and is up to them to create the software they need and redistribute it. Soon a lot of tools are combined and the core is launched again with a few more tools and bells added onto it.
IF LINUX had a backer it could be shown as harmless and not shown as a weapon. Parody remakes of the mac ads show Linux up staging the two systems- pc and mac but people seeing that (if you have ever read the comments on youtube (I don't recommend it though)), the angry fans of mac or Pc claim that only nerds need apply for Linux. And the Linux crowd come jumping back with oh yeah we have open source and everything is free (which mind you is stupid because with torrent sites EVERYTHING is free) we also have a fully functioning os which we can do anything with, without getting fined. And that's true Linux is 'sofware libre' and may be given out to as many people as you want.
So after this all this: what can we do? Well there is a lot we can do as a team not a lot we can do as an individual- as a group we must show off the Linux os for it's features, speak calmly to people who hate it and not give into their abuse or flaming. It is our job to spread the word about Linux as a open two way OS for everyone to enjoy and add a little piece of yourself into the project. Hopefully people you have strong thoughts against *nix in general read this and understand that yes, Linux can be used as a weapon; but can't mac or windows?
Hope you enjoyed the read.
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