Let's call this a kind of "oldtimer" answer even though I'm not that an oldtimer, at least when it comes at Debian (well, I'm a Debian old old old user, but only participating oin the project since 2000). Otherwise, I'm afraid I am an oldtimer, really (/me waves to other dinosaurs and elephants in the audience)
Quoting Erinn Clark ([EMAIL PROTECTED]): > - How the project has helped you It helped me in several ways, both for my Debian activities AND for my general professionnal activities (which are "desktop systems architecture design" in a research organization, FWIW). I think that the emergence of d-w last year, especially after Erinn's talk at Debconf, bringed me a newer light on the place of women in information technology in general, on the role I can have to change things that need to be changed and on my general perception of the qualities required to work in IT environments. The difficulties encountered by women to be part of the Free software movement and, indeed, of the IT world at all (even on the Evil Side) have some origin in our behaviour (yes, our....men, I mean). So, girls, in short, I think you made me open my mind and think differently (not you only....my wife work is human resources, so...). Just like discovering free software 12 years ago made me think differently about software. > - How it's different/better than other groups you've been associated > with (or maybe even worse, it's not like we don't need to improve...) The unique quality of d-w seems to me that we men have always been welcomed as long as we show we really want to be part of the project and do our part of the work. I may be wrong, but this is maybe not the case of all "women in free software" movements (correct and bash me if I'm wrong). At least, this has always been the image of this project and this is what I like in it. > - How it's affected your view of Debian as a whole (especially helpful > coming from newcomers, but also good from old-timers) It certainly changed my perception of the way we, Debianers, are viewed from the outside (by men and women, btw). It also showed me that this project is unique because very quickly many key people of the project (mostly men) were very supportive of it. This is a new perception of the Debian community, very different from the atmosphere of some Debian mailing lists...probably quite close from the atmosphere of Debian in its early days (better ask Manoj whether I'm true or not). This is indeed of of the traps of the project, btw : it should remain driven by women mostly but you'll get more and more men involving themselves for very good reasons. So, you will always have to keep a balance for this which will not always be easy, actually (see the recent thread about the map). And there's always a risk that it turn out into a club. A very friendly club, for sure (which is Not That Bad)...but a bit far from the original goals. I think that this risk is currently well managed but this will always need attention. OK, I'm too verbose *again*. I really wonder how people will accept this at Debconf..:-). Good luck for cutting these comments down to something useful, Erinn.... -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
