Interesting comments from Carla Schroder on LinuxCon.
I like Linux Today in general , and I really like this piece because it brings up 2 points that well illustrate some current concerns in the FLOSS movement.
1. Women / Sexism in Open Source
Sexism and the paucity of women involved in Free and Open Source Software has been getting a lot of electrons lately. Although some segments have disgustingly tried to co-opt the issue for demagogy and personal attacks, more responsible organizations (such as the FSF) have been trying to take a serious look into the matter.
Ms. Schroder offers her suggestions:
How do we attract and retain new contributors? By reaching out, and by providing help and mentoring to get new contributors off to a good start. By presenting a variety of highly-visible role models. By valuing all contributors, because coding is just the beginning. Ongoing software maintenance and improvements, ongoing user support, documentation, providing a welcoming path to turn users into contributors, artwork and music, site design, marketing and talking to the press, and on and on…it’s not enough to fling some code out into the world and hope something good happens.
Well said, especially the point about providing a “path to turn users into contributors”.
2. The FLOSS Stockholm Syndrome
Not Ms. Schroder’s words, but she rightfully points out the baffling inclusion of Daniel Lyons in the proceedings. This is a gentleman who enthusiastically supported SCO’s lawsuit activities for years, never missing a chance to smear and degrade the FLOSS community in the effort.
Among some of Mr. Lyons more enlightened diatribes include “Linux’s Hit Men“, where he goes through great pains to distort the role of the FSF and GPL, even reaching for the good old “comrade” Communism allusion. Or perhaps “Linux Scare Tactics” is more to your taste, where Mr. Lyons opines on the “FUD” from “Linux zealots”? You can hit on any random Forbes article from Mr. Lyons on the topic of Linux to be treated to 100% Microsoft approved misinformation and spin with all your favorite code words and key phrases.
Mr. Lyons is just one example of the less intellectually sophisticated Linux detractors / Microsoft apologists, but he serves here as an interesting example of a strange phenomenon among some in the FLOSS community to welcome, or even vigorously defend those who have spent enormous effort to destroy that same community.
I call it the FLOSS Stockholm Syndrome here because it seems to be part of that same mental abberation of hostages sympathizing or defending their captors!
For some I am sure it is not mental abberation, but simple greed; but in others I see a strange desperation to be accepted by one’s own opponents – even to the point of attacking other members of the FLOSS community on behalf of the outside interest. I seems to be a strange mix of naivety, self-loathing and desire to be “cool”.
It is most obvious among those few shameful deals that have “partnered” with a proprietary company. (Novell-Microsoft being a prime example). It invariably leads to the FLOSS-side partner not simply defending the Proprietary-side partner, but also attacking any critique or questioning of the relationship. Thus you have such noble behavior as Novell taking absolutely gratutious potshots at Canonical in press releases, or using Microsoft-approved code phrases like “intellectual property peace of mind” in ad campaigns against Red Hat.
Such are the costs of living in Stockholm, I suppose.
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