Yes! We're the wannabees! We didn't spend five years in college studying computational theory, data structures, programming, algorithms, neural networks and machine learning, but we're not stupid people!rickh wrote:Anybody can install Debian these days, and a lot of people with limited Linux knowledge manage to get far enough along to come here asking how to fix the messy situation that resulted from their fumbling attempts to get some basic configuration added to the system.
People who can take a few hints and run with the ball have what it takes to become Debian Users (note capitalization) as opposed to the wannabees.
We chose Debian because it was simple and easy to install. We chose Debian because it has the best package management system of any GNU/Linux distribution. We chose Debian because we agree with the goals of the Free Software movement.
Occasionally, we make mistakes. Occasionally, we run a mixed stable/testing/unstable system. Occasionally, we need someone to patiently explain to us why that's a bad idea. Given proper instruction, we will learn.
When we run into trouble, we try to use Google to find a solution, but occasionally it is difficult to understand the results that we find. On those occasions, we turn to the forum for help.
We're willing to use the command line, but -- like any foreign language -- it takes time to learn the vocabulary. We're willing to learn the language, but sometimes we need a good teacher.
We respect the Debian Social Contract, but we would also like to listen to music, play DVDs and watch Flash videos on occasion, even if it means installing some non-free software. We do know that we should not encourage others to use non-free software however, so we don't send files saved in proprietary file formats to other people and we don't send files that contain proprietary fonts or codecs to other people.
Finally, we express our gratitude to the developers who have worked so hard to produce the greatest GNU/Linux distribution on Earth and to the "Real Debian Users" who help us understand it, help us solve any problems we encounter and help us make the most of it.
Thank you Debian!
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