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Re: Linus, and whether tactfulness has any value
From: |
Walter Mitty |
Subject: |
Re: Linus, and whether tactfulness has any value |
Date: |
28 Dec 2005 14:24:53 GMT |
User-agent: |
slrn/0.9.8.1 (Linux) |
"thad01@tux.glaci.remove-this.com" risked the wrath of Usenet weenies when he
ventured forth
on 2005-12-27, commmitted his life to the whims of Google, and espoused:
> In comp.os.linux.advocacy Edwin <thorne25@juno.com> wrote:
>>
>> Linus is a computer geek, and English is a second language for him.
>> Tact is too much to expect from him. Beside that, many Europeans seem
>> to practice a blunt, abrupt style of speech.
>
> Od, my experience differes from yours. I've found most Europeans
> to be very polite and tactful. Most of my experience is with
> Germany, Holland, and England, so perhaps I would feel differently
> if I traveled more of the continent.
Three totally different sets of personalities : trying to compare the
maners and social characters of an Englishman with a German is like
comparing wine and water.
>
> Also, given the context of ego driven geekness that Linus must
> operate in, I find Linus's behavior on the kernel mailing list
> to be very tactful (relatively speaking). He can be blunt when
> he needs to be... but usually manages to do it without causing
> personal offense.
Agreed. He didnt even need to "apologise" for being blunt. Blunt i
sbetter than evasive and wishy washy.
>
>> Linux has outgrown Linus anyway. It's time to stop making a little
>> tin god out of him. He's had his 15 minute of fame already.
>
> I don't think anyone has made a 'tin god' of him... at least not
> among the true developer community. He commands respect because
> of his technical ability and his skill at coordinating and motivate
> a very diverse group of contributors. He is the defacto owner of
> the kernel as long as he continues to earn that respect... and not
> a minute longer.
>
> If you think his 15 minutes are up, you are welcome to fork the
> kernel tree and motivate the masses to follow you instead.
>
> Thad
>
Well said.
--
"Fascinating. Want a pretzel??" : Hooper