Laurel:
Laurel Fan wrote:
>
> Excerpts from linuxchix: 1-Dec-99 Re: [issues] Jamie Lokier (.. by
> Maureen [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > I think this is becoming more manageable now, and if there's
> > interest and we can come together on some projects, perhaps
> > we can all move ahead in a supportive, non-judgemental environment
> > that is run for and by women interested in doing technical work...
> >
> > What do you think?
>
> I think that when choosing a project to spend my free time on, I am far
> more concerned about the content and philosophy than the demographic
> credentials of those running it. If you want to work on something that
> I have no interest in, then I am obviously not going to participate.
Well, I can read nothing in my missive that says you would have to do so.
"If we can come together on some projects" means exactly that.
>
> I do free software development to have fun, create something I want or
> need, experiment with interesting concepts and techniques, to work with
> other like-minded people, and to learn new things. I do not do free
> software development to get in on the hype, promote the image of women
> and open source, to make "Linux" better, or to "do technical work".
That's fine. But if you read the thread, it all began about a list of 50
people who were big deals in Linux. The concern was that women were
under-represented. Well, if anyone wants women on that list, then the game must
be played. Too bad, but's that's life ITRW.
>
> Sounds interesting, but I won't work on something I don't enjoy
> (actually, that's not quite true. I will work on something I don't
> enjoy if the time and non-enjoyment is sufficiently compensated such as
> with money or grades..)
>
> Also, the words "supportive" and "non-judgemental" sort of scare me.
> What if I have some really bad ideas? Does everyone have to support
> them?
Any statement can be carried to its logical extreme, neh? We are all reasonable
people. It is one thing to criticize work, it is another to
criticize ad hominem. This is the distinction I assume is understood.
A cooperative software project requires a certain openness that allows for
constructive criticism, at least in my experience.
You don't have to participate. No one has asked you specifically to do so. In
fact, if the demographics bother you, I suggest you don't. You are obviously
not having any problems participating in predominantly male development groups.
I don't either, but some women seem to have voiced a certain shyness about their
work which might be helped by demographics.
Maureen Lecuona
************
[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.linuxchix.org
