Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2004 02:40:04 -0400
From: Mathew Brown <mbrown0420@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
And yes, Wal-Mart does sell linux loaded pc's so expect not only joe 6-pack but his wife that yse to be his sister and their 4.3 children to ask a lot dumber things than i did.
Nice rhetoric and really good use of imagery, but a bit mean and rife with stereotypes.
Wal-Mart is the biggest business in America, perhaps in the world, and it didn't get that way by being a stupid consumer choice. In fact, many computer programmers who never even had a sister, much less married one, shop there. Some Fedora users, in fact - I'm one, and I just was at Wal-Mart last night. Didn't see one customer there married to his sister, either.
My point is that flaming and flame-baiting won't get you a better response. Believe me, I know this - I do my share of flaming, just because it's sooooo satisfying sometimes. But no list/newsgroup member has ever respected me for it. (Some have, however, answered my questions thoughtfully and helpfully anyway - nothing teaches humility better than to get a measured, sympathetic, helpful response after having been a complete asshole. At least, I hope it will.)
Others have responded to your Fedora questions quite well; in fact, I learned a thing or two myself from their responses. I'd like to recommend a few pointers for flaming, though.
First of all, avoid cultural and racial stereotypes. There's no place for that kind of prejudice in the modern world.
Proper flames and flame-bait pick on individual characteristics of the person you are attacking. Chances are, the person you hoped to enrage either doesn't shop at Wal-Mart or is not incestuous. Your point will not get under their skin. Aim your contempt squarely and precisely on the intended target so that they realize you are picking apart their personal, individual flaws. The shoe will fit; they'll be forced to wear it.
Second, be clever. The best flame will enrage a person twice - once for being insulting and twice for being so well done that they have to admire it anyway.
Also, lists and newsgroups are public fora. If your flame is stupid or crude, you are boring many people. At least if you're witty or subtle you provide entertainment for the captive audience.
Third, remain friendly if you can. There's a good chance if you met your target face to face you'd be friendly, even while trading witticisms. Let the poor schnook know that you don't hate them or even have true contempt for them; you're simply engaging in an ego exercise to let the world know how sharp you can be, just as I'm doing here.
If someone flames you back, well, that's what happens when you open the door. At least you can set a standard that allows forward progress while the sardonic retorts fly through cyberspace.
All that said, I've had my share of Fedora difficulties, too. All of us here have, I'll bet. Please receive and appreciate the genuine sympathy and willingness to help most people on this list have for each other, even when a person loses it and publicly whines. There really is space even for whining in this community, if you don't turn rabid on those extending help.
I hope you will achieve some satisfaction with Fedora; it'd be nice for you to gain the benefits it provides. I hope you can begin to use this list to empower your progress, and that my 2 cents here are more helpful than harmful.
