PCLinuxOS's militant leadership

As a reviewer, I expect people to disagree with points I make. Everybody has their own opinion. But is it okay when the project leader of a maturing Linux distribution calls on his users to "hammer" a site because of its outcome?

It's a really harsh statement but when the leader of a Linux project tells his users to hammer my site, there's really no other description for it.

A couple of days ago I published a review on the latest version of PCLinuxOS. The first draft was, admittedly rather skewed because one feature I deemed essential was buried in the help documentation. Once I started getting feedback to the contrary, I immediately looked at things again and adjusted large portions of the review to reflect things more accurately.

I expect fans of an operating system to stand up for it — as they did. I expect some of them to be more reasonable in their responses than others and I got the whole range. What I don't expect is the leader of the whole project saying:

I suspect this is their [Ubuntu's] new marketing strategy. Use their Ubuntu bloggers to review and then come to the conclusion that Ubuntu/Kubuntu is the better choice and hope the new sites will pick it up like they do with all their 100's of howtos that get sent around everyday.

I applaud the PCLinuxOS users who stood up for us. If they want to go this route then lets hammer their blogs with the truth and force them to keep removing our posts until they cry. We aren't gonna roll over like a whipped dog so you want some bring it on but prepare to get a lot of mud on your distro cuz we can sling it just as good as you.

This thread was moved away or deleted so I can't link you to it but luckily I tend to leave dozens of tabs open and I still have the text. I'm probably making that all up aren't I? Surely no leader would say that... Well here's screenshot and here's the whole page (1.4megs).

I get it. You didn't like the tone of the review. You wanted "yeah it's all great" but in terms of feedback what use is that? I mention Ubuntu. How is saying that another distro has certain better aspects a bad thing?

When the strapline of the PCLOS is "Radically Simple" and I see something in another distro that is more simple or I see things in PCLOS that just aren't simple or logical, I'm going to call you out on it.

As for suggesting that fans should "hammer their blogs with the truth and force them to keep removing our posts until they cry" because I'm some sort of Ubuntu house organ, grow up.

Kickbanned! What for? Just the review. I had a few great chats with people there but I'm almost tempted to edit this sort of official behaviour back into the review. Radically simple community leadership.

I should state that I don't mind fans of a system attacking me. They're just expressing their opinion over something they feel and that's groovy because that's just what I do. However, leaders of a project should be taking notes when somebody says they don't like a certain aspect, not joining in with the mob.

Written by Oli on Wednesday, 23 May 2007. Tagged with linux, <rant>. Read 6232 times. If you liked it, please give it a digg.

1 to 10 of 33 < 1 2 3 4 >

#1 /* 15 months, 13 days ago */

I completely agree... you've been Dugg BTW ;)

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James Anonymous User

#2 /* 15 months, 13 days ago */

What is up with all these morons mindlessly attacking Ubuntu? I can understand mindlessly attacking Microsoft, although I still consider it moronic, but Ubuntu is your fellow FLOSS, people!

Cross me and be thagomized.

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Stegosaurus Normal User

#3 /* 15 months, 13 days ago */

You know people sometime say things in the heat of the moment. That is why the whole thread was pulled of the PCLinuxOS forums. So if anyone was offended then please accept my apologies.

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Texstar Anonymous User

#4 /* 15 months, 13 days ago */

Oli,

This kind of post is not healthy. Lets stop the bickering. Tex mentioned in private to me that he knew he was out of line, and he has now apologized to you. Why not just drop the issue? He is human too you know.

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Justin Anonymous User

#5 — Author comment /* 15 months, 13 days ago */

Firstly, Texstar, I've got respect for you coming here to resolve the issue. However, a well placed email would have stopped this in its tracks a lot better than the silent deleting and IRC kickban.

I agree, though. We all make mistakes, as I did with the first draft but the more public those are, the more we're held accountable for them. I implore you to use this incident as a lesson on how to address critics and their criticisms in the future.

I think I mentioned this in the forum thread but I mentioned Ubuntu (and before the edit, Kubuntu) because they have aspects that I feel are more simple. I didn't write PCLOS off because of a whole distro, rather highlighted the parts of it that I feel would be better if they were more like another's.

Anyway, I'm going to try and get hold of you via email so we can sensibly sort out what to do with this thread.

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Oli Numero Uno

#6 /* 15 months, 13 days ago */

Oli,

PCLOS shouldn't have even hinted at some sort of distro JEEHAD (spelling?). However, I am an avid Ubuntu, Kubuntu, and even Xubuntu user, and I get to tell you the only thing I like better 'bout 'buntu is the size of the repositories. You really should do a little more research before you put a review out into the world. It was almost someone had a gun to your head and had to through mental hoops to come with criticisms. Your article did not help your credibility one little bit. If anyone to should apologize to you, its you.

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Yossarianlives70 Anonymous User

#7 /* 15 months, 12 days ago */

Someone critisized your distro. It doesn't matter if the critique is right or wrong. All one has to do is post a rebuttal of the wrong things said, and not start a distro war. Texstar was wrong...wrong...wrong. He should be matured enough to hold his temper when someone bashes his distro. Oh, and he issued an apology? That's just like saying sorry to the Japanese after dropping the A-bomb on Hiroshima.

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Rean_K Anonymous User

#8 /* 15 months, 12 days ago */

Rean_K,

You obviously don't want to let the flames die down. You really should find better things to do with yourself. Or, are you a MS troll that just wants see infighting in Linux land?

In any case, the deluge of comments had nothing to do with Tex. In fact, when he made that comment I think even the PCLinuxOS fans were surprised. In any case, it is water over the bridge. Tex has learned his lesson. And, we should all go do something more productive with our time.

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Justin Anonymous User

#9 /* 15 months, 12 days ago */

I might suggest that in the future when making comparisons between Linux distros that you frame your comments/opinions within context. As an example if you're going highlight a specific function, then include screen shots from both, that way your readers might better understand what you're trying to communicate. It is also apparent that while you attempt to portray yourself as a Linux expert and an authority on graphical user interface, your blog post is sophomoric and pretentious at best.

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gryphen Anonymous User

#10 /* 15 months, 12 days ago */

I've just installed PCLinuxOS 2007 and I see that it brings something new and refreshing to the Linux community. It's the first KDE-based distribution I've used for some years. It's beautiful, and in my view, much friendlier to the eye than Ubuntu. It's easy to install and configure. Cudos to Texstar and his band of fellow hackers. Texstars talent is of an enormous value to the Linux community, which can not be said about every reviewer of Linux-distributions. His disitribution bears the mark of an artist, and of a strong vision. He must be tired now, after working intensely on this new release for months. When the workload is heavy it's easier to do something you regret. So I recommend everyone to oversee this minor lapsus and enjoy whichever Linux-distribution you may like the best. If you have not tried PCLinuxOS, you should. It's good. Among the best. If it's the best for you depends on who you are, and what you need.

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dudleif Anonymous User

1 to 10 of 33 < 1 2 3 4 >

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