[clug] [wet] Re: Scope of list

Daniel Pittman daniel at rimspace.net
Tue Sep 15 23:12:50 MDT 2009


Alex Satrapa <alexsatrapa at mac.com> writes:
> On 16/09/2009, at 12:10 , Robert Edwards wrote:
>
>> CLUG is the Canberra Linux Users Group, by which _I_ understand:
>> - Canberra and surrounding region (Southern NSW)

[...]

> As far as the different user groups go CLUG meetings are from all reports
> that I've heard, by far the worst when it comes to opinionated arguments by
> people who will not admit that they have made mistakes, or have an opinion
> which doesn't have basis in real-world facts (as opposed to Truth, which is
> entirely subjective).

For what it is worth, while I can't speak to the physical meetings, the CLUG
mailing list is far less prone to the heat-and-no-light debates that
characterise some of the other highly active LUGs in Australia.

[...]

> We can't solve social problems (threadnoughts on sexism as the prime example)
> through technical means. Social problems require people to  speak up and say,
> "hey, that behaviour is not acceptable." Whether  it's sexism or <common
> enemy>-bashing, it's just not cricket. However,  let's not focus on what kind
> of behaviours are not acceptable on this  list. Rather let us take the lead
> from those projects whose  communities we admire, and encourage the behaviours
> that are desired.
>
> If someone offends you, take it up with them in private - or at worst describe
> the offensive behaviour or opinion on the list, leaving names  out to separate
> the offensive behaviour from the person. In the  meantime, remember to thank
> people (publicly) for the help they give  you. Shame privately, praise
> publicly.
>
> Apologies for the essay.

Thank you for writing it.  I found it an interesting thing to read, and it
represents what I think is a good approach — and probably even better than
some of mine — to handling the issues.

        Daniel

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