I prune the blogs on the right about once every month. I remove them if they get stale or fail to mention something Linux-related for a certain period of time. There’s no other criteria than that.
But I have removed one today — I won’t tell you what it is, or link to it in any way — because I have my doubts about the content. And when I say “doubts,” I mean doubts about its veracity.
I don’t think fudged content is ever much of an issue, unless you’re claiming to run Compiz on a Pentium. After all, who’s to say you didn’t?
But this is a prominent Linux proponent with a strong following, who writes a blog as part of a project I admire. But whose material, within the past few months, I find somehow incredible … in the dictionary sense of “not believable.”
It’s sometimes too easy as a blogger to spin a tale where you are the victim, surmounting ugliness and ignorance to become a kind of Linux hero … and in the process demonize a third party.
And offer nothing in the way of proof.
I’m not going to say anything after that. I’ve never un-linked to a site because I felt the material was somehow questionable, but there’s a first time for everything.
it was helios at linuxlock huh? Had to be. I’ve heard several other people say the same thing about him.
But if he is just making up these stories, he missed his true calling. He should be making big bucks writing books or screenplays or something. 😀
The disbelief started to cement with that whole ‘Karen’ the Linux ignorant teacher post. As rabid and as incredible as that may seem, I’ve come across seemingly intelligent people with the same affliction. So I wasn’t as ready to dismiss the author as some crank or outright liar trying to gain sympathy for his project (and maybe Linux too).
But if the stories are getting more and more outlandish, it’s either the experiences are getting weirder or they’re fake(ish).
That latter does seem more likely.
You have to be very careful with fanaticism. Like most drugs in small doses, it can be a wonderful motivator and can even garner some support for the community and projects. In large doeses, it can kill the community.
srlinuxx: Definately, he makes his posts sound really vivid!
I don’t really get why this guy does this stuff. If the stuff about his charity is true, then he is doing amazing stuff, why does he feel the need to have to make up these silly stories?
Some people feel the need to embellish everything that occurs to them.
I’m pretty sure I know the latest article I would call FUD. No one I know (myself included) in the tech industry would behave in the manner described. In fact… most of us run linux or bsd at home.
Agreed, that last post seems too far out to be legitimate.
FUD from the linux side. That’s just sad…
If you think it’s full of crap guys, why don’t you watch the documentary videos that were made of his project?
Didn’t know those were out there? Guess you’re quick to doubt and crucify but not quick to investigate the truth of the matter eh?
@Tom, I couldn’t find these documentary videos you mention.
Care to provide us with a link or two?
http://www.digitaltippingpoint.com/
Look at the digital tipping point.
Here’s some videos detailing Ken and Larry and what they do for Lindependence as well as helios solutions.
[audio src="http://www.archive.org/details/e-dv538_ken_larry_boadm_01_003.ogg" /]
This is the internet archive of the file…but you can contact the digital tipping point anytime you want to in order to get vids on this.
There are 9 parts to this video…be sure to watch them all before making a decision. Also, please remember in the future to investigate a bit further before making a decision…you may throw the baby out with the bathwater.