Use Linux! Arrrr!
Have you ever met fanatic Linux fans?
You know, folks devotedly shouting that Linux is even better than sliced bread, that anybody still using Windows is stuck in the stone ages, that Linux has great anti-virus capabilities and it’s free and it’s awesome and…
And have you ever met a fanatic Google supporter?
I personally find there are plenty of fanatic Linux fans. But I haven’t met any fanatic Google fans yet. All the Google fans I have met (and there are millions of them) have been calm, almost matter-of-fact.
I’ve always wondered why that is. And I just found the answer in the book Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance:
You are never dedicated to something you have complete confidence in. No one is fanatically shouting that the sun is going to rise tomorrow. They know it’s going to rise tomorrow.
When people are fanatically dedicated to political or religious faiths, or any other kinds of dogmas or goals, it’s always because the dogmas or goals are in doubt.
Fanaticism comes from insecurities
Yeah, that’s right. Linux fanatics feel insecure about Linux.
Now, hold it right there if you’re a Linux fanatic yourself! If you’re just getting ready to fire off an angry rebuttal and completely close your mind off to what I’m about to say, that’s your choice.
But as a Linux user, you’ve already shown you’re pretty open-minded. So how about you keep that great quality for a few minutes longer, and at least hear what I have to say. Then you can make up your mind if I have a point, or if I’m a raving lunatic who deserves an eternity in hell stuck with dial-up internet.
…
I know the experience first-hand. I used to be a Linux fanatic myself.
But I’m not anymore. And now that I think of it, I stopped feeling fanatically passionate about Linux at right about the same time as I realized that…:
- Linux is indeed the 100% right choice for me
- Linux is not for everybody
- There are a few quick questions I can ask someone to find out if I would recommend a Linux switch to them
Before that, I would preach the Linux way, and claim it’s the best operating system, the one operating system, the one true way to happiness and freedom and a salvation from the evils of Redmond!
But I wasn’t quite sure about that. I mean, on the surface, I was 100% convinced. But deep inside, I had nagging doubts. I realized Linux wasn’t the best choice for everyone. (Or, rather, SWITCHING to Linux wasn’t the best choice. If they grew up using Linux, they would be better off than with Windows.) Heck, I wasn’t even quite sure if the choice was right for me, at the beginning!
And it’s the same reason I never fanatically promoted using the Dvorak keyboard layout. Because from day one, I realized it’s not for everybody.
Why Google has luke-warm fans
Google’s fans are very different from those red-hot fiery passionate Linux fanatics. Why?
Because everybody is confident about Google’s superiority. Everybody knows they provide the best search. Everybody knows they provide the best web-based e-mail. (If you haven’t tried GMail yet, do so!)
A fanatic shouting that Google is the best search engine would be like someone fanatically claiming that the Sun will rise tomorrow.
And people would look at him the same way. Of course Google is the best search engine! Nobody doubts that!
Why fanatics don’t convert people
Here’s the thing, Linux supporters. Fanaticism doesn’t convert.
Because deep inside, people realize that fanaticism comes from insecurities. They might not realize it on a surface level, but fanaticism simply turns them off.
That’s why I developed a few quick questions that I ask people to find out if a switch to Linux would be good for them:
- How many hours per week do you use your computer?
Because if they use it 1 hour per week, there would be no point in switching. Also, if they give me a large number, I can later use that as a leverage to explain how much the smaller differences add up. - What do you use your computer for most of the time?
I generally get web browsing, e-mail, and computer games as the answers. I can later tailor the explanation of why Linux is better to their specific needs. Also, rarely, I find out a switch wouldn’t be right for them. - Do you use any highly specialized software?
Generally, this is Photoshop, and some business-specific programs.
And you know what? For 95% of people, dual-boot is the best option. Windows for computer games and specialized software. Linux for everything else.
Because Linux is better for most tasks. It’s far better for web browsing because of the security architecture! It’s faster, more responsive, and more customizable.
And, using Linux is fun 
But you see, I’m not fanatically claiming that Linux is 100% better, and it’s the best choice 100% of the time. I’m past that stage.
So whenever you learn a new ideology… stop trying to convert everybody and their dog! Instead, figure out who is your new ideology right for. Then ask questions to find out if the person you’re talking to is a good fit.
It keeps the wrong people out. More importantly, it also improves your chances of convincing the right people.
So there you go. Next time you’re hoping to convince someone, don’t go all fanatic-like on them. Instead, clearly state the benefits for them, and also why it might not be the right choice for them. You’ll improve your chances.
Cheers!
(Image courtesy of Rishi S)
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
I think it breeds fanaticism more because there are large forces opposing the Freedom it offers, and it is shunned by the media.
You don’t get Google fanatics because Google is just another corporation out to make money, look at how they helped stop Freedom in China.
@Jamescm:
Spot on! I completely forgot that point.
Another reason I felt fanatic about Linux at first was because I felt that Windows was trying to squish it and achieve complete domination over the desktop.
Again, this comes to “the dogma or goal being in doubt” – I felt like Linux’s very SURVIVAL was threatened. Once I realized that Linux is around to stay, and slowly chip away at Windows’ market share, I lost a big chunk of my fanaticism.
Umm google and linux apples and oranges? maybe you can compare but from my limited knowledge on the subject theres never been a search engine people are fanatical about.
Rant Warning-
Fanaticism doesnt convert people because they feel using linux or whatever the hell theyre fanatical about will require them to also be fanatical or be shunned by the fanatic community, its simply not worth the effort. Anyone who would ever consider switching operating systems has used the computer long enough to get “flamed” by a faceless mass of nerds and that is frustrating. These are the people (im going to assume) likely to be fanatical about linux and they’re generally not worth dealing with unless you really need to. No i havent used linux and sure the community may not be as bad as all my generalizations make it out to be but google is your friend wasnt a funny answer the first time and it will never be. Again from my limited experience I have seen no reason that a person knowlegabe of linux is a person to be respected and have their ego stroked as they seem to think. I just have a negative image of this linux group and want nothing to do with them.
This goes for many popular topics of fanaticism to tell me you haven’t known an incredibly mindless follower of the environmental movement some of the dumber things ive heard were mis-regurgitated environmental facts. White people with a black friend so they can call themselves tolerant, i think the new thing is to have a gay friend right now. Sorry black people
General Disclaimer (required to follow any mention of race, and probably in this case linux)
Knowing how to linux doesn’t mean you are a jerk but it may or may not mean I am a “nub”
No I am not saying you only have a black friend simply because they’re black atleast unless you go around saying well my black friend or well i know a gay person and… Then yes I am saying and no you don’t like me.
No no no corporations are not the big evil conspiracy its the government hands down the government is bigger and evil-conspiracy-er.
Now there’s a co-incidence – we’ve just decided to go dual boot after a virus.
The other reason that fanaticism doesn’t convert is that fanatics talk AT you instead of WITH you. I’m not surprised you get better results by listening to people first. We all like to be listened to, and we’re all more easily convinced by people we like.
Sheila’s last blog post..Where did the benaoristas come from?
I have to agree with some points the good doctor brings up, and suggest that if more people took a page from your book, Vlad, the Linux world would be much larger. Nobody likes being treated like an idiot. Google may “dumb it down” but they treat users with respect. I, too, am reluctant to switch due to the possibility of getting flamed by the Linux “cultists”, even though I know Linux would probably make me very happy.
Gabrielle’s last blog post..Bluebird of Happiness
Everybody check out Wubi! The easiest way to install both windows and ubuntu on your computer.
http://wubi-installer.org/
Installs, and acts just like any other regular program on windows.
For sure there are Linux fanatics out therem and they are a pain in the nether regions. But there are also Microsoft fanatics, Mac fanatics, Ford fanatics, tennis fanatics, rock music fanatics, religious fanatics, science fanatics; in fact if you name any piece of human endeavour you will find a group of fanatics dedicated to it who give it a bad name.
No-one should judge any other group by the fanatical fringe that attach itself to it. I like using Linux, but I accept that it is not for everybody. The vast majority of Linux uses that I know feel exactly the same way. This article makes it sound as if virtually all Linux users are a lunatic mob, apart from the author and maybe a few others. This is not the case. Most Linux users use Linux at home or at work and could not be bothered “sprading the word”. In fact, a common complaint on many Linux sites is that not enough normal users encourgae other people to use Linux, often leaving that task to the fanatical few. This same complaint can be found in many other groups, clubs, associations, etc. It is just part of human nature.
So, if you don’t use Linux, that is fine. If you want to use Microsoft or Macintosh, or any other system you want, that is fine. But, the next time you have a choice between one system or the other, think about the relevant advantages and disadvantages of each, then make an informed decision that is best for you.
One more thing, contrary to the author’s fanatical loyalty to Google, and claims that everyone thinks it is the best search engine; I do not. Have a look around, there are other, and in my opinion better, search engines available. Google has too many ads, and its results can be easily manipulated by commercial and political interests. This also applies to other search engines, but Google is the biggest and therefore the one most likely to be manipulated.
Thanks Gabrielle, I hesitate checking back because I expect criticism and no longer have the state of mind I had at the time I left the comment so positive feedback is appreciated. James what search engine is better? I havent tried any since google there was ask yahoo msn they all suck?
@Sheila:
Welcome on board!
I just recently had a weird shock when I heard about a virus spreading on twitter. I’ve honestly forgotten about viruses for months, and it was a nasty shock to find one I’m (probably) vulnerable to. I never caught it thankfully
@Gabrielle:
It’s true that there are a lot of old-school gurus who treat newbies with disdain. But the distro I’m using, Ubuntu, is very open to newbies. And the community support at ubuntuforums.org is absolutely excellent. Every time I had a problem or wanted to change something, a quick google search brought me to a solutioun discussed on ubuntu forums.
So if you’ve been thinking of switching, wait about until the new Ubuntu version comes out (only a few days away now), and give it a try!
@Jason:
I’ve heard of Wubi, but never had a chance to try it myself. But from what I heard, it’s an awesome way to start using Ubuntu Linux without any pain involved! Not even partitioning drives or anything.
@James:
You’re right, we shouldn’t judge a group by the fanatic members. Too bad we often do (just ask some Westerners about Islam).
And I find it really interesting that you prefer other search engines to Google. You’re the first person I’ve ever met who deliberately considered all options, and picked something other than Google! (Every other non-googler I’ve met so far was using another search engine because it came as the default option, not because they consciously chose it).
@Doctor Buffer:
Your comments got me thinking a bit. Quite aside from the rant, you have a point that Google and Linux are different.
With Linux, there’s a feeling that you own the Linux on your computer. With Google, you simply use their services. Owning something will definitely tend to lead to more fanaticism.
As for search engines, I find that Google delivers the most relevant results. That’s why I use it.
Interesting perspective and good points.
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