I think a lot of the technical folks who built the space made interpersonal skills kind of a dump stat- and to be fair, I benefit enormously from the technical ability they have in exchange for that lack of social skill. But it does define the culture of Foss spaces in a bunch of ways that aren't the greatest 😅

[–] Mikina@programming.dev 5 points 1 day ago (2 children)

It's what convinced me to make a switch to Linux, two years ago by now.

I've seen it mentioned for years at that point. Did it feel annoying? A bit, especially when I was trying to solve something. But it was one post that pushed me over the edge. I've probably seen a lot posts/replies like that before.

I can't say why, I guess the stars aligned, but I'm glad it happened. I probably wouldn't do it, if it weren't for years of constant reminders that Linux is in fact an option.

[–] prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 points 20 hours ago (1 children)

Yeah, and sometimes the solution really is just "stop using a garbage OS".

Like maybe there's a good reason why it's such a common thing people suggest here

[–] ArcaneSlime@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 11 hours ago

Especially when the only other answer to the problem is "windows is actively preventing you from doing X/doing Y to you because they hate their users and you are the product."

[–] Cris_Citrus@piefed.zip 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Yeah I think its a balancing act. That's why with this kind of thing I prefer to just share my excitement with people without expectations that they wanna engage with it the same way I do

I think you can share what makes linux special and expose people to the idea without it needing to be badgering. Which I'm sure works for some folks who are open to the idea, but it also just fuels kinda tribalistic antagonistism and resentment in many cases

It took a long time for one of my friends and I to be able to have conversations about linux cause she got so burned out by the prosthelytizing she'd gotten previously that she was defensive, and I got defensive that I couldnt easily talk about the thing I'm excited about. I'm really excited that these days I can just tell her about the shit I think is cool without her feeling like I'm demanding something of her :) yesterday we had a lovely conversation about social media and the fediverse ☺️

[–] Mikina@programming.dev 1 points 3 hours ago

Yeah, what I've been trying to do, on a rare ocassion where I chime in with the whole "just use Linux" (because it's usually not necessary to be 27th person with the same comment), is to at least add more relevant info, or mention misconceptions that I know were reasons why I didn't switch, or what I found cool.

I.e for me it was gaming, which for a long time used to be considered bad on Linux, especially if you had Nvidia. Which is no longer true in the sligjtest, and I was pretty surprised how smooth the transition was, so I just share a bit of my experience.

But yeah, it's a balancing act. And as always, if you can't add anything to the discussion that already wasn't said (i.e just use linux), it's better not to add anything :D

[–] firelizzard@programming.dev 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Speak for yourself. I’m a huge Linux fan but I find it rather easy to not annoy people. Mostly because IDGAF what OS anyone who isn’t me is using. And the only time I’d ever recommend Linux is if someone technical was asking for advice. If they’re non-technical, I will tell them to not use Linux (no fucking way am I going to be their tech support). If they’re technical, they can decide on their own (unless they ask me directly).

[–] Cris_Citrus@piefed.zip 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

On that subject of social skills not being my dump stat- if I include myself in the group I'm critisizing (WE have this issue, vs YOU GUYS have this issue) it is less confrontational and more people will be able to connect with what I'm saying and think about it. Its more effective verbiage

And ultimately I'm part of this culture too, dysfunction and all, and want it to be healthier :) trying to use my social skills to support that change is a way that I can contribute, even if I can't contribute technical expertise

I do maybe wanna contribute to UI design work for Foss/floss stuff someday though ☺️

[–] Mr_Wobble@thelemmy.club 3 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (2 children)

It's odd to me to be a fan of an OS. It's the nuts and bolts needed to make a computer do things I actually care about.

[–] Cris_Citrus@piefed.zip 12 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

I'm a fan of it for the way that it treats me with respect and represents the possibility of technology that isnt extractive and abusive. And as a ui nerd there is an element of the computing foundation that is exciting to me in and of itself :) I love seeing the different ui paradigms of different desktop environments and how they solve problems like making multitasking work well for users

But that just how I relate to it, it's totally valid for the computer or os to be more of a means to an end for people :)

[–] prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 20 hours ago (1 children)

It's the nuts and bolts needed to make a computer do things I actually care about.

So you mean like the OS? It's literally the most important (software) aspect of the whole thing

[–] Mr_Wobble@thelemmy.club 1 points 18 hours ago

I like where my car takes me. I have zero interest in its transmission.