8-Bit Ninja Clan – Varied Training Program For Becoming Great Ninja

Posted on September 2nd, 2007 in Axel Night, Computers by Axel Night

Because we all knew I’d get too wrapped up in my graphic editing, the 8-Bit Ninja Clan.

I’m inserting this rant in below the strip a tad bit after publishing, but if the comic doesn’t ring the point home, I want to say it.  You open source fan boys are really close to on my last nerve.  If, as a user, you prefer a Linux solution for your home PC, and it serves all that you need to accomplish with a computer, than it is a great solution.  I am a Linux/BSD fan (more BSD, but it’s a personal choice).  I’m well versed in their usage, and when I get to apply them to a problem, it makes me happy.  Many people have worked on nothing more than donations and ramen noodles to provide these excellent tools to us, and for that I am greatful.  But, for the love of god, stop acting like this is the only tool for every job.

I once sat through a unix class, in which two students, friends I assume, sat for 15 minutes, waisting our time, singing the praises of the newest Intel-based Macs, and veiling their zealous advocating of its unanimous use in the guise of questions.  "Why doesn’t everyone just use a Mac?"  After which, when any attempt at an answer was made, they would explain that such and such a situation could be handled with an Apple machine.  "Yes, they can also run Windows and play Windows games and be servers and clean my anus each day."  They were also obviously being fed large quantities of money from their parents back home, and could afford a $2000 machine to do $500 tasks.  It’s no different than the crazed Linux fans, and it’s annoying.

A hammer can remove a screw using the corner of the nail-remover on the back.  It can then hammer a nail back into that hole.  However, you would sound like a complete retard if you tried to advise others to do this.  You would sound clinically insane if you further went on to say that screwdrivers were a corporate scam to get you to buy all of the different sizes and shapes, when a hammer is fully capable of every task a screwdriver could do.  That’s what you sound like when you try to apply one system to every task.  I seriously watch people try to get a person unfamiliar with computers to use all open source systems and applications.  Then, when the first thing doesn’t work the way it should, they’re lost.  Yes, I can build a gaming machine in Unix.  But, most of the games are written for Windows.  Don’t give me the bull shit that I can make a Unix machine run Windows games.  I want to purchase a machine.  I want to load Windows XP on it.  I want to pay GameTap $10 a month, and I just want it to work.  The game is not "make the computer work".  When I want to game, I just want to game.

Actually, as a technical systems administrator, I’m capable of doing these various little tricks and making things work in Unix.  That isn’t the point.  A user should focus on a certain area, and be able to easily complete the tasks they need to.  It is acceptable for a graphical artist to focus on and like Macs.  Apple makes special, little efforts for their image and movie editing users, such as making sure the monitor shows colors brightly and accurately.  As administrators and technicians in the technical world, as many of you Linux lovers are, there is no damned excuse for this level of exclusiveness.  It is your responsibility to provide the best solution for a task to your clients, and to be familiar with their differences.  This righteous attitude of forcing your hammer on their screws because of some loyalty to a cause is irresponsible.  It’s no different than a chef serving a vegetarian dish to someone who ordered a hamburger, just because he thinks everyone should stop eating meat.  Cut out the fucking Microsoft bashing, and learn to use it where it’s appropriate, whether you like it or not.  It’s your damn job.