Date: Tue, 07 Sep 1999 23:40:35 -0600 From: Brett Glass <brett@lariat.org> To: Frank Pawlak <fpawlak@execpc.com> Cc: Frank Pawlak <fpawlak@execpc.com>, "Jordan K. Hubbard" <jkh@zippy.cdrom.com>, freebsd-chat@FreeBSD.ORG Subject: Beating the drum and flaming as a diversionary tactic Message-ID: <4.2.0.58.19990907232353.047be890@localhost> In-Reply-To: <19990901215045.A10001@quark.feynman.com> References: <4.2.0.58.19990901193136.00c4f360@localhost> <4.2.0.58.19990901152642.047b0250@localhost> <804.936177954@localhost> <4.2.0.58.19990901152642.047b0250@localhost> <19990901185228.A9481@quark.feynman.com> <4.2.0.58.19990901193136.00c4f360@localhost>
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At 09:50 PM 9/1/99 -0500, Frank Pawlak wrote: >Correct, disagreement is not a reason to lose respect for a person. >However, I am getting the feeling that you a beating a hollow drum. A drum that isn't hollow doesn't make much of a sound. ;-) Seriously, though, I take great pains to explain and back up my arguments. I've spent about three hours of time which I could have spent in more enjoyable pursuits answering messages in this thread this evening, and doing so as thoughtfully as I can. >For >sake of argument, let's just assume that perhaps Jordan, and David have >solid ground on which to base their argument. My point, as explained in earlier messages, is that their most solid numbers -- and even their projections -- support different conclusions than the ones they draw. It is, for example, mathematically provable that David Greenman's projected growth curve, which I believe is overly optimistic, has Linux pulling away from FreeBSD at an exponential rate. > In my own humble way I >have seen evidence that would tend to corroborate their statements. For >example, a year or so ago I didn't see much BSD except at ISPs. Where as >today I am finding it in IS departments right along with Linux. And, am >hearing such things like it makes for a better server platform. Is this >smoke and mirrors? No. However, it IS anecdotal rather than a scientific sample. >As to your motives, at this point that appears to be an open question. I >think that we are all very clear that you have issues with the marketing >program. But, your tactics are not going to get it done, and you are >smart enough to know that. I have read some of your articles which >indicate a level headed approach to the issues. On this forum that >approach appears to be missing. Unless your motives are to constantly >piss people off. I am taking exactly the same approach here as in my published articles, and am expressing the same ideas. The difference, I fear, is that angry responses generated by a relatively small number of people may be coloring your opinion of what I write. This is an old technique that's often used in online discussion forums: if you don't like what someone says, flame him or her and encourage others to do so. The writer is quickly branded as disruptive, and some sensitive and intelligent people dismiss his or her ideas, however well-reasoned. Attempts to ridicule and flame me in this forum -- which, as you'll see if you review the thread, have been mounted by only a few people -- are an example of this technique. But all of this is a meta-discussion, and I'd like to get back on track. --Brett To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-chat" in the body of the message
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