SunnyLUG -Canons of conduct

Canons of Conduct for the members of Linux Community*

Adopted from “Linux Advocacy mini-HOWTOv0.5c, 3 May 2000” by Paul L. Rogers (Paul.L.Rogers@li.org). The original document is available in HTML form at http://www.datasync.com/~rogerspl/Advocacy-HOWTO.html.

As a representative of the Linux community, participate in mailing list and newsgroup discussions in a professional manner. Refrain from name-calling and use of vulgar language. Consider yourself a member of a virtual corporation with Mr. Torvalds as your Chief Executive Officer. Your words will either enhance or degrade the image the reader has of the Linux community.
Avoid hyperbole and unsubstantiated claims at all costs. It's unprofessional and will result in unproductive discussions.
A thoughtful, well-reasoned response to a posting will not only provide insight for your readers, but will also increase their respect for your knowledge and abilities.
Don't bite if offered flame-bait. Too many threads degenerate into a ``My O/S is better than your O/S'' argument. Let's accurately describe the capabilities of Linux and leave it at that.
Always remember that if you insult or are disrespectful to someone, their negative experience may be shared with many others. If you do offend someone, please try to make amends.
Focus on what Linux has to offer. There is no need to bash the competition. Linux is a good, solid product that stands on its own.
Respect the use of other operating systems. While Linux is a wonderful platform, it does not meet everyone's needs.
Refer to another product by its proper name. There's nothing to be gained by attempting to ridicule a company or its products by using ``creative spelling''. If we expect respect for Linux, we must respect other products.
Give credit where credit is due. Linux is just the kernel. Without the efforts of people involved with the GNU project, MIT, Berkeley and others too numerous to mention, the Linux kernel would not be very useful to most people.
Don't insist that Linux is the only answer for a particular application. Just as the Linux community cherishes the freedom that Linux provides them, Linux only solutions would deprive others of their freedom.
There will be cases where Linux is not the answer. Be the first to recognize this and offer another solution.

*Disclaimer:
This article is being publish under the Open Content License in the hope it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Please read these Terms of Use

END NOTE

A piece of advice to all the newbies. The best way to get the answers to your queries is to join SunnyLUG. Be a member, and post your question, how-so-ever trivial it may look. Someone will hopefully get back to you with a suggestion if not an answer. Though you can always send the email to me directly but it is a better idea to mail to the group. That way your mail will not only reach me but to all the members.

To join SunnyLUG either send a blank mail to SunCityJodhpurLUG-subscribe@yahoogroups.co.in
or visit SunnyLUG's Y! Groups site by clicking the shield on the left.