What does it mean to be part of the GNU Linux Community.

On Another thread about people that are looking at.

Reasons why people don't want to switch to Linux (and overcoming them).

I realized I had to explain what it meant to me by saying thinking Linux.

Well long long time ago 400mhz AMD toshiba laptop. I needed the modem to work a winmodem.
that was around 1997. Actually buying a Mandrake GNU Linux. It was on how to compile a module for the winmodem. I had to learn what a header file was a kernel source.
And my questions was very simple where is the header files how do I get a kernel source.

And Mandrake really let me down the support just figured I understood. That's when I open my eyes to the community.

There was this wealth of knowledge and a since of vigor. people making discoveries everyday. I found Slackware and everything seem to work or compile out of the box.

when I Say Think Linux I am trying to say the community can and will hold the answers and you can learn and grow with them. It opened my eyes to hard working, loving and giving people that seem to want to help others.

This may not get your Iphone to sync or get photo shop to run native on Linux.
But I am sure if you grow with the community you will see the wonderful alternatives.

So I ask what does it mean to you to be part of the GNU Linux Community?
What does Thinking GNU Linux mean to you.

Personally. To me it means that I write programs for Linux, I configure and build kernels, so as a result, I will look towards public resources for solutions to things which I feel have likely been dealt with by someone else, or a case where someone may be able or willing to answer my question. And vice-versa I look at this forum, stack overflow, and google mailing lists; and when I notice something which I have knowledge of that is a question; I offer my thoughts to that questioner.

I'm sure it's different for others. For instance, some may feel that participation in "the community" may mean that they actually write code which is published and/or accepted as part of Linux or at least some utility that someone else may download.

Wow thank you rtmistler for your contribution to the community. As you understand not everyone able to learn it all. This community service you provide I am sure has helped many.

I my self have helped many of my older retired friends that did not want to upgrade their windows box. I found that most of them where using Skype to talk to there children and Email etc. very simple functions us baby boomers like on our desktops with huge fonts. But actually I get to go where they live and help them through the problem. This is a good feeling I get helping them locally.

And for them to watch me do it has really helped them. I wrote a small script that they can click out of the menu that runs the updates for Slackware.
this has helped a ton.

Community means different things to different people. What do about people that don't want to be part of a "community" especially a technical help type community? The kumbaya help each other community has no appeal to me so it in essence doesn't mean anything to me. Will I help, sure but the kissy lets we're in it together is repellent.

Thank you for your wonderful input I am sure many people think that way. As in all communities that is a great part of the melting pot is diversity. Thank you for your contribution.

Originally Posted by Drakeo I my self have helped many of my older retired friends that did not want to upgrade their windows box. I found that most of them where using Skype to talk to there children and Email etc. very simple functions us baby boomers like on our desktops with huge fonts. But actually I get to go where they live and help them through the problem. This is a good feeling I get helping them locally. And for them to watch me do it has really helped them. I wrote a small script that they can click out of the menu that runs the updates for Slackware. this has helped a ton.

Good for you! I think it's good when people want to learn and take the time to learn, I hope it's a lot like that when you're helping those people use Linux.

There are a lot of regular people on LQ who are very helpful. I see many of the same usernames being very helpful to many who query.

I am old school.

If someone assists you life.
You owe a debt.
Even if that assistance is free.

So to pay it foward.
I solve forum user problems.
I am a team member on a couple of distros.
I give my free time and extra money.

This new school

"It's all about me and FU"

Well, I choose who listen to and who to ignore.
Just like they do.

rokytnji your posts have helped me many times thank you for you contribution to the community your time is like many others have been appreciated.

Fundamental to "community" is sharing and promoting a common interest.

When I started with Linux, I had already heard of the RTFM Linux user of legend.

I quickly found out that that user was just a legend. Whenever I asked a question, whether it was here or on the Slackware newsgroup, I got helpful answers. Sometimes, those answers did say RTFM, but never in a dismissive tone--it was because the answer was too complex to be addressed in a newsgroup or forum post. They gave to me simply because they were willing to help out someone who shared a common interest.

I don't write code, other than simple BASH scripts, so, now that I've learned enough to answer the occasional question, I try to give back a little bit here and at hackerpublicradio.org.

And, even though I will likely never meet any of you outside of LinuxWorld (unless you stumble into a meeting of my LUG), I feel as if I am in the company of companions when I am cyber-here.

Frankbell your answers have helped me sooooooooo much through the years. Thank you for you wonderful contribution to the community. Been a long time since I was in Norfolk. Spent many days there back in the 80's and 90's. Glad your LUG is doing well.

Thank you so much for the kind words, Drakeo.