Hi! My name is Anthony and I am conducting a research on volunteering in Linux communities as part of my Master’s semester project at SDU university in Denmark. The idea is to examine, building on existing literature, the motivational structure of your typical (or not so typical) Linux volunteer. I am particularly interested in interviewing Linux community members with experience helping newbies/users.

This is no quantitative survey. You are free, indeed, greatly encouraged, to reply to the questions below at any length you think fit. Please feel free to be as ‘verbose’ as you want. Conversely, it is not a requirement for those of you who decide to take part to answer every single question. It’s OK to skip some (although hopefully you won’t skip too many!) in order to focus on those questions that you feel are more relevant to you. I suggest that those interested simply reply to this thread, or alternatively you can email at jacklutas@hotmail.com The results will be made available in late June.

Thanks a million for your help!


QUESTIONS:

A few personal details:
a. For how long have you been a member of this community?
b. What is it that you do here (‘moderator’, etc.)
c. Age (optional)
d. Occupation (optional)


ON BEING A LINUX VOLUNTEER:


1. The idea of the ‘Hacker ethic’, which emphasises knowledge-sharing, openness and free access, has been widely recognised as a driving force for Linux developers and volunteers. What does this ‘hacker ethic’ mean to you, if anything?

2. Many ‘newbies’ approach Linux communities for the first time seeking software or software-related advice. Some will go on to become members themselves. Why do you think some end up joining Linux communities, but others do not?

3. The internet is awash with help/support communities, Windows forums being a case in point. What, if anything, sets Linux communities apart?

4. Why did you join this particular Linux community? What was the process like for you?

5. How has your role in this community evolved over time?

6. Do you feel part of a wider Linux community? What does it mean to you to be part of such a community?

7. What word do you think characterises best your work helping users in a Linux community, ‘volunteer’ or ‘social activist?’ Why?

8. Aside from the immediate goal of helping users with their queries, what broader service do you feel you are providing to society at large by volunteering at this community?

9. How important is the ‘recognition of your peers’ in your motivation for helping Linux users?

10. Has working as a volunteer at a Linux support community helped shape your studies/working career? If so, how?

I doubt if I'm typical in any way. I started using Linux around 2008, but I only joined LQ a couple of years ago. Before that, I used to hang out at Linux Forums. I don't have any official status here. I am a pensioner, 72 this year.
The ethic means a lot but I don't associate it with being a "hacker" because I'm not one. To me, a hacker is a geek, the kind of person who sits up all night programming and drinking coffee. And male, definitely. I see the open-source ethic as being "soft left", the socialism of co-operatives, friendly societies and credit unions. It's the politics I grew up with, so I feel at home with it.
It's simple. Some want to learn and they fall in love with Linux because it offers so many opportunities for learning new things. Others don't want to learn anything; they just want Windows without the drawbacks. They fall away because Linux doesn't give them what they want.
The fact that we love the OS we use. Nobody actively loves Windows. People use it because computers come with it preinstalled, everyone knows how to use it, and the easiest course is to stick with it.
I switched from Linux Forums because the LF site became infested with malware and the owners didn't care and didn't do anything about it. It wasn't the fault of the LF community, but they were the ones who suffered. But when I arrived here, I found a lot of old friends who had "dual membership" so it was easy getting acclimatised.
I do more answering than I did at the beginning. And I've done a little on the wiki. At one time I was one of a group of people who volunteered to mentor newbies and teach them how to ask questions, but I sort of slipped out of that. I don't think I have the necessary patience for the job.
Yes, I think so. I have done other things. I did quite a lot for the Open Document people in the past, and I still sometimes proofread for them. I've also done translation work on documentation, which I really enjoy. Again, I like the volunteering ethos. But I don't do the more "communal" things like IRC or hangouts. That doesn't really interest me.
Definitely not "activist"! I'm too old for that. Volunteer, I think.
None that I can see.
Not overwhelmingly important but I like it. I must admit that I check my rating regularly.
No. I was retired already when I started using Linux. It's my recreational drug of choice.

(a), (b) check my status/profile information shown on the left.
(c) 51
(d) This shows in my LQ profile, Embedded Linux Engineer. Technical title, I do a lot more, as most anyone working does.Downright dirty jerks, putting it lightly. Growing up "hackers" were infantile man-boy wannabes who broke into systems giggling and the giggle would get higher in pitch if they actually managed to do something substantive. That's my opinion, these days I'd hear, "Oh No! You have it all wrong! They're heroes of some type ..."

My thoughts are more towards, "Yeah, Right!", and "Move out of your parents' basement!", --William ShatnerI can only relate my experience. I searched for Linux answers and found them here. Much like you search for other computing answers and find them at StackOverflow. Well, here is cordial and that is kept up. StackOverflow is not cordial and it gives me the impression that there's a bunch of nose snorting geeks (hackers, see above ) sitting around giggling at all new questions. OK I'm exaggerating there, but the truth is that StackOverflow can be antagonistic and intimidating. LQ certainly can be at times however the intent is that it is not. I can't control whether or not people want to be here, but it seems like the ones who are here, as well as new ones, do enjoy it. Some also have complained about the age of the site, WRT the web form styles. Got it, but I like it and I really don't like web pages which change shape, presentation, form, etc every day I visit them, or where I have to battle against the web page to use it. I'd like to think that (1) other technically inclined people may agree, and (2) most people realize that bling or view of the site is irrelevant and the content is more important. Other than that, there is a small social aspect that some prefer here at LQ. I agree that there is some level of professional or social familiarity with various common users.I do not agree with you that it is "awash". Initially a few years ago, some ego because we eschewed Windows, for a free option, and the other OSes are so small, they don't register much. Now, there are tons of people of various ages, young and old, who are appearing here, have been appearing here for years. "Use" of Linux and using it at an expert level, are relatively easy, or rather easy to figure out, even if the steps are complex. And then people can go to more expert levels, at their own pace.I believe I already answered "why" in question #2. As far as the experience, I personally approached it with humility and respect. In other words, I looked and read before I jumped in offering advice. And then jumped in offering advice hoping for reputation, glory, etc, only to find that I'd awoken a necro thread or something. I've come to respect more the intentions of the site. Jeremy apparently noticed and asked me last year to be a moderator. I'm still learning on that subject, IMHO, and he can relate this fact as well.Nope, and nothing. Sorry to all. This ain't something like "love you all!" with X's and O's. I'm a Dad, a husband, a brother, yes a son but parents are both deceased, I like to run up things like mountains even though we don't have real mountains in New England. Due to my age and experience, it is also part of my responsibility to teach or at least offer my knowledge. Therefore happy to teach, happy also to learn, happy+honored to be asked to help out. Bottom line is that we all have lives and therefore those should be our #1 priorities. Odds are that I'll be gone sometime in the next 51 years, therefore just doing the best I can now and having fun.You spelled characterizes incorrect is what I think, along with a few others. Clearly not an activist, but otherwise I don't care to characterize at all. I'm here, is that not enough?I really don't think this deep about this topic, and while I know you're asking questions for your studies, my feedback is that someone thinking this deep about an online forum, should not do so.Important only to the fact that we all act respectfully towards each other and if/when we disagree we don't turn into the equivalent of an online mob or emit profanity laced tirades as a result of those disagreements. (Yeah I'm looking at YOU! User [blah-blah]!!! )No in fact I potentially feel the exact opposite. My life experiences have helped shape how I behave as a person, therefore how I act here is more a result of myself as a worker, project leader, instructor, sales person, brother, husband, and dad.

Hard to say, however I feel there are things you're not asking. Let me see if I can relate topics which you might have considered asking questions about. However, this is somewhat a mood thing where next day, week, or month I'd think differently about the topic. You know how it is, you work hard at this thesis, feel great, get your grade, get out of school, and then 5 years later you find it, read it, and go "I wrote THAT?!?!!!!!"

You seem to be asking what's it like to be in LQ, but you're not asking that question directly.

Another more direct question would be, "What do you consider to be good and what do you consider to be bad?"

"Do you have much experience with other online forums? If so please describe and tell us what's different with this one over another one."

"Do you respect the other members here? Would you like to possibly meet some of them?"

"How much time per day do you spend on this site? Other similar sites? And online in general?"

"If you weren't online with LQ, as well as other sites, would you be looking for something like it? Would you want to create something like it?"

"How do you feel this site differs from others?"

"How important would you consider your participation here? And why?"

"How would you classify yourself with respect to Linux? Recreational user? Student user? Working user? Master/guru/#dontmesswithme!? Other?"

"Do you establish 'friends' on sites such as this? And is that important? Also do you have a Facebook account, LinkedIn account, both, or neither?"

"What interests do you have besides this or other online communities? How you prefer people to envision you?"

No, he didn't. That's British spelling. It's Americans that spell everything wrong.

Motorcycle Tramp.
Retired. With my own motorcycle and bicycle custom refurb shop.
joined 2008.
Joined because I wanted to learn something. Solve some problems. Though I don't ask much for help myself. Just 17 threads since 2008. Mostly facebook type of threads showing my interests.
Hacker ethic? I don't care.
Newbies? I don't over think about what they think much. I just try to be polite and empathize by remembering how lost I was when I fired up my 1st computer.
Linux communities are different than Windows communities as we have more do it your self and tinkerers here.
Am I part of larger community? I show up if invited. I am sociable. But I ride motorcycle and handle life pretty much as a loner.
Me = Volunteer
My volunteer work extends to being a moderator and linux distro team member on a couple of Linux distros.
I don't over think what my peers or non peers think of me. Having thick skin and a tough mind with a good sense of self.

For rtmistlers points.

I do facebook because of family. They don't do phone but seem to like doing social media sites. I go with flow. I don't care what others know about me. My life style contributes to my probably having a small file in a govt. drawer in a filing cabinet or data on a drive some where. I don't sweat or worry much about anything outside of my immediate physical presence. Just pragmatic that way. I have friends here and respect their views on life. Having said that. I have been burning bridges to keep the crazies from following me.

I would not mind meeting some members here. But. I live in the boondocks of the world and it is not easy to hook up.
I don't think my participation here is important at all. I just do it because I have a interior obligation to pay it forward because others looked kindly on me and took the time to make me a bit smarter.

I've mentioned before on this forum. I use computers for tuning motorcycles and buying motorcycle parts. Learning linux came from that primary motivation.


That's it. It is about as personal as I am going to get before pushing bikes outside and turning off this computer for the afternoon.

Edit: Just noticed this is LQ feedback and suggestions. Scratches head in wonderment?

I believe the question referred to hackers, not "crackers" (called "hackers" in popular culture, movies). I'm somehwat surprised that a moderator of this forum doesn't know this.

ON BEING A LINUX VOLUNTEER:


That statement is an assumption on your part on what (your idea?) is on the term 'Hacker Ethic(s)' means, and what it causes others to be like and that it is the 'driving force' for Linux developers and volunteers.

I believe your Causes and effects is a precognitive idea of your own. Where is your data to back that up?

Do you think all hackers are open to sharing what and how to do what they do with others in an open and free access? That is prohibited even within here in Linux Questions to freely provide such information on how to 'hack' into someones system.

Lets pick that term apart that you have put in here and see if it even matches up to what you said it does.

First you have to define the word, "hacker" then if you add the word "ethic' to it and apply what it means. You now have a term that contradicts itself. Because "Hackers" are known for going in to others environments (OS and Networks) for the sole purpose to "Hack" their way in. Because they do not have permissions to get in only to go in and satisfy some form of curiosity or to wreak havoc on the system they just hacked into. Exploiting whatever they can to their advantage.

To add some kind of Ethic code to that. I do suppose then it'd have to be twisted to 'do not tell anything to anyone lest they turn you in to the authorities.'

Therefore preventing them from wanting to freely share anything about how to or what one can do when done. Unless they enjoy taking that chances of getting caught.

To try and put them two words together and make it into a term to meant something less threatening is just a psychological ploy to deceive others into thinking that even "bad guys" are good.

Everyone one has their own set of morals and values. They are all determined by the internal process of what they believe to be right or wrong and was formed by outside stimuli. But this this sense of justice can or cannot be alter to change their perception of right and wrong.

This too is governed by the individuals level of selfishness. Because most of them only use themselves or others that think like them as a basis for comparison of what is right or wrong. Then these values and morals they hold are always subject to change to meet their wants. Because their internal justice system is based on themselves then they are always free to change it whenever it suits and benefits them and not necessarily others.

Therefore, to say a hacker has some type of ethics is correct but is it always a truly just set of ethics, or something that sounds nice to people will take them at face value and leave them to their own devices?

The word hacker itself suggests that it morals on what is right or wrong are already put into question when dealing with the proper means to do something with or on an operating system.

Sometimes I hack away on my code until I get it to work. is that right or wrong?

Would it not have been better and perhaps easier to just have ask someone else what is the proper way to do something instead?

That is a purely hypothetical question where the reasons why someone did something where the other did not, and can only be properly answered by the person's that did or did not do the same thing given the same set of circumstances.

I do not speak for them. Because I am not them. That is only a hypothetical question that a sociologist can try to answer.

I cannot answer that question. Because of its basis of comparison I have little to no knowledge of. Because I do not expose myself to Windows help forums to make a educated response to the differences between the two.
The process was hell boiled over. Why did I join? good question. Is this a survey to Linux Questions or your Masters Degree in sociology? Because that question feels like a Linux Questions servery question.

But because this is for your Masters. Because I was looking for help.
Define: Evolved.
1. No.
2. What does it mean to me to be part of this small community? I never thought about it. I use it to fulfill my psychological needs as most do, and No, I am not going to write a theses on that to explain it.
Looks like this question is trying to answer my statement in the last question (2).
As a 'social activist' is to bring about social change. That cannot be done in here due to its governing laws, and its limited scope within the social environments that this world has. So then it has to default to ;volunteer;.

why: Why not share my limited knowledge on Linux with others?

what service do I feel I am providing to society at Large by volunteering at this community? None. That contradicts itself Because this is a small community that does not branch outside of itself in here. It is a self contained entity. We do not rally up and have get together's to share ourselves with others outside of it.

Everyone likes a pat on the back now and then. LQ sees this human need and has a little clicker on the post to lets others know if they have been helpful or not in giving their answers or guidance to that other individual. As far as that being my motivation to help other Linux users in here. None whatsoever.
No.



A few personal details:
a. For how long have you been a member of this community?
Registered: Sep 2013

b. What is it that you do here (‘moderator’, etc.)
Try to help others ...

c. Age (optional)
upper age level of the quantum

d. Occupation (optional)

Well this 51 year old moderator pre-dates the terms hacker and cracker, and if you've gotten a clear read about me, you can sort of tell that I'm not into popular culture. Not surprising was when I read Hazel's comments, it seems she feels similar about the topic, and she appears to be about 20 years my senior. You are also making my point, which is based on my history with computing my opinion of what a hacker is, is different than modern day, and the fact that someone(s) would step up and say something contrary to my opinion.

a. For how long have you been a member of this community?
Registered: 09-12-11

b. What is it that you do here (‘moderator’, etc.)
Answer queries or point to where info can be obtained.

c. Age (optional)
66

d. Occupation (optional)
Retired


1. What does this ‘hacker ethic’ mean to you, if anything?
Co-operation with others for the betterment of self & others.

2. Why do you think some end up joining Linux communities, but others do not?
Because some are only using Linux, they tend not to join in with the sharing philosophy.

3. What, if anything, sets Linux communities apart?
They are usually very friendly communities.

4. Why did you join this particular Linux community? What was the process like for you?
I had been using Linux for a few years & thought that I could give something back to the community by helping out others just starting out, & let the people who actually do the programming get on with what they do best. Joining in was easy, in the main, the people are friendly.

5. How has your role in this community evolved over time?
I've stopped answering the easy ones & just concentrate on the more specific questions that I know answers for.

6. Do you feel part of a wider Linux community? What does it mean to you to be part of such a community?
Yes, I'm part of the community. I feel that I can be useful to others, just like others were to me when I started.

7. What word do you think characterises best your work helping users in a Linux community, ‘volunteer’ or ‘social activist?’ Why?
Volunteer helper, because that's what I do.

8. Aside from the immediate goal of helping users with their queries, what broader service do you feel you are providing to society at large by volunteering at this community?
Never thought about it in that way.

9. How important is the ‘recognition of your peers’ in your motivation for helping Linux users?
Not important at all. If I can help when I read the forum posts, that's what I'll do.

10. Has working as a volunteer at a Linux support community helped shape your studies/working career? If so, how?
Only in as much as obtaining a better understanding of how it all works - at least, for the bits that I use.

I first came across the term "hacker" in a magazine article when I was still working, back in the 90's. It was a mainframe world back then though there were already PCs running Dos and Windows 95. The article defined a hacker as a compulsive programmer, the kind of person who lives on crisps and coffee and who seldom produces anything useful, but dreams of a huge software project (an operating system or a new kind of hyperconnected database) and spends all his (always his) time working on it.

Not quite Cynwulf's definition, but in the same ballpark.

13 years.

I'm just a regular user. I sometimes come to ask questions and other times to try to help on other users' threads.

40.

Linguist/Translator.

For me, 'hacker ethic', is related to what you mention in your question: knowledge-sharing and opennes; i.e. the fact that knowledge (of every type, not only in regards to computing) should be readily accesible to everybody instead of being privately-owned (patented or proprietary). When I started my journey through Linux around 2003/2004, I read that it was all about the democratization of knowledge, and I think this goes hand in hand with the hacker ethic.

I'm not sure about this one as I guess it depends on many individual factors, but maybe some find Linux is not for them and decide to quit Linux and Linux communities altogether. I guess in other cases people just use the forums for for a specific problem and never use them again.

Maybe the hacker-ethic you mentioned before?

I was having issues with viruses on Windows, so I decided to try Linux after reading about it. After installing Linux I couldn't make my modem work, so I decided to join LQ to ask for help.

In a certain way. For me, the Linux community is somehow a sub-culture, and just using Linux, being acquainted with Linux and all it means is being a part of that (wider) sub-culture (even if I don't participate in any LUG or any other Linux community).

Volunteer (even though I'm not as active helping in the support forums lately, as my technical knowledge about Linux is not quite advanced and for work I have to use Windows 90% of the time).

I guess people who volunteer in these forums are not only helping individual people with individual problems, but also help Linux to exist and be an alternative to the main OSs out there, since Linux wouldn't exist without users after all.

My studies and working career are not related to Linux or computing, as I'm a linguist/translator, but I guess in some way using Linux and being part of a Linux community has helped me to be more computer savvy, which is important when you need to use specialized software for work. Also, indirectly, being in contact with an English-speaking community has helped me improve my English skills, which is something important for my job.

Hi! Thanks for all the brilliant replies received so far! By way of clarification, the term ‘Hacker ethic’ has admittedly enjoyed something of a chequered history. First coined by Steve Levy in 1984 it was embraced (with caveats) by the likes of Linus Torvalds, Stallman and Eric S. Raymond (notably in The Cathedral and the Bazaar) and it has been widely referenced in academic literature. At its broadest and most uncontroversial, its meaning boils down to the values listed in the first question. Of course, that the first question should have proven to be moderately controversial is in itself very interesting, but I wouldn’t be doing my job properly if I were to spill the beans at this stage of the research.

I think the word 'crackers' is originally a word used for something to eat then was introduced as a derogatory term used towards white people (in USA mostly) by black people as a means of retaliation for them using that 'N' word and even to them that did not use the 'N' word when referring to 'them' as we do in society have a means of spiting up races as a means of identification.

But the 'N' word has such a negative response now days one is not even "allowed" to write it. It now can only be referred to as the 'N' word by certain people in certain social circles out of fear of being wrongfully accused for its use no matter what contents it is used in.

In other words if I was to actually write out that 'N' word in here I'd be in fear of retaliation by one or many regardless of the contents I used it in. In other words it would be most definitely taken out of contents and used against me in here.

Yet to write the word cracker is ok in any contents?

The introduction of the word 'cracker' into the Computer world is relatively new. I do believe it was introduced to try and alleviate all of the negative feelings that the word 'hacker' gives to them that hear or use it. So they split it up into two. Then as you have shown added a difference to the two words.

Because the Movie world only mirrored what a Hacker then was known as. That being someone that hacks into someone else's system to do whatever they want to it.

Now it 'means' something completely different and the word 'cracker' was introduced to takes its place. So now white people, especially in America now have to question what a black person means when they are calling him or her a cracker..

Thanks to the people that are in charge of introducing words to mean something other then what they originally meant when referring to another human.

This was not written to offend anyone.

Sigh.

And you're still wrong, refer to Eric S Raymond (aged 59 but not a moderator on a Linux site unfortunately):

http://catb.org/~esr/faqs/hacker-howto.html#what_is
http://www.catb.org/~esr/writings/ca...ory/index.html