Really, Ubuntu and GNU/Linux? I thought you weren't THAT low...


Ubuntu's Opinionated Dictionary  

122 members have voted

  1. 1. What should Ubuntu do to their definition of Microsoft?

    • Update it! Come on, this is really childish!
      84
    • Nah, they're right about Microsoft being evil.
      38
  2. 2. What should I do about this situation?

    • Nothing. Just cry a river or complain, but shut up.
      48
    • Write a letter to the Ubuntu team asking for a revision of the definition.
      43
    • Engage in expanding public awareness.
      31


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If the dirtyness is the same, I'll just use the best quality software. And guess what - it's not Linux.

I beg to differ, but we're all entitled to our opinions. I have many reasons for running only Linux (I actually use Debian, the one Ubuntu is based on).

1) It's free, as in free beer.

2) It's free, as in free speech. I can edit and modify the way my system operates in almost any way I choose. I don't have to pay more money to unlock advanced features of my operating system.

3) It's powerful and stable. There's a world of free, open source software that lets me do everything from run a secure FTP/HTTP server, to create impressive looking slideshows and documents, to play my old Playstation discs while I'm on the road.

4) It is naturally more secure, just because of the way it operates and handles execution of files. Windows made a good move with UAC, but I still have yet to see or hear about a Linux virus actually successfully spreading in the wild. All of the ones I've ever heard of were created in labs and were only effective if executed under very specific circumstances. Yes, I understand the relationship between market share and attractiveness to hackers, but I've examined the way both operating systems run, and I believe Linux does it better.

I'm not saying Windows is bad, well actually I believe it is, but it does "work", and works well for most people because it's what they grew up with, it's what they know, and if it works for you, great. A computer is a tool, not something to get upset about. You have your preferences and I have mine. I just had to post mine because of your "their arguments shatter" comment. I believe my arguments for FOSS stand up pretty good in an intellectual debate.

By the way, on topic for the OP, I'm using Debian 6.0.1, and the built in dictionary has the exact same definition. It must be something put in there by the authors of the dictionary application for Gnome, and not necessarily Canonical.

post-125978-0-45458400-1304045066.png

post-125978-0-49609800-1304045248.png

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Yes, I saw that part, and yea I agree the whole software patent thing on something that vague is garbage. But it has absolutely nothing to do with the subject.

If the subject is why 'evil empire' is used in a Linux dictionary, then it is on topic. It is an attempt to explain why that definition was probably put there: the things that have led and continue to lead many Linux people to harbour negative views of Microsoft. Am I missing something?

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If the subject is why 'evil empire' is used in a Linux dictionary, then it is on topic. It is an attempt to explain why that definition was probably put there: the things that have led and continue to lead many Linux people to harbour negative views of Microsoft. Am I missing something?

I'm bored, maybe I'll write a patch for the dictionary and look up who I need to contact to get it pushed to Ubuntu/Debian repos.

People Harbor Negative Feelings Toward Microsoft Because...

1) Windows costs money, and to the high school nerd wanting to experiment with, who knows what, money is usually not easily attainable. Not to mention that Linux is "different". While I have technical reasons for using it, you'll find just as many "script kiddies" that know just enough to be dangerous, and think that running Linux makes them l33t h4x0rz, and they are "fighting the man" by constantly insulting Microsoft.

2) Once people who actually like Linux get used to it, they become frustrated any time they have to use Windows in their work environments (Raises Hand). So they take out their frustration at all the random crap that happens on their Windows network in Linux forums and the like.

3) While I didn't necessarily agree with every business decision he made, I can look back now and say that Bill Gates was a highly intelligent, respectable man, who turned out to be one of the most successful college dropouts in history. Given he did eventually go back and finish, but still! On the other hand you now have Steve Ballmer, which the majority of Microsoft employees disapprove of if I remember the poll recently posted here. I mean we've all seen his Windows commercials...

4) Open source software is GOOD because when issues are found they are usually fixed very quickly and effectively in the case of software products that are maintained by an organized community, like the Debian OS, plus the end-user is able to modify the code and customize their software to suit their needs. It is BAD because in the case of small bits of software maintained "officially" only by a couple of people, you invite immaturity, like the definition of Microsoft in the Gnome dictionary.

5) They have led an OS that is, in my opinion, inferior to Mac OSX and many of the Linux/GNU OS choices, to a ridiculous level of success through good marketing and factory pre-installations. If you ask 75% of general users what Linux is, they wouldn't be able to tell you because it's not "marketed". I'd also be willing to say that at LEAST 80% of general users have never touched a Macintosh, because PCs are cheap and come with Windows pre-installed, and they'd rather use what they know has worked in the past and deal with viruses, BSODs, and MS imposed limitations than learn new software.

Edit: Apparently the dictionary pulls its definitions from a server, it does not use a dictionary file that you can edit locally. You can however change the dictionary that it uses, or add different ones.

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Yep, the default dictionary for the Gnome dictionary is dict.org, and if you go there and look up microsoft, you get the definition in question.

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I just sent the Ubuntu Team (webmaster@ubuntu.com) my two cents:

Dear Ubuntu Team,

As an Ubuntu (and Windows) user, I am writing to you to inform you of what I view as a distasteful design from your operating system. This design, in my opinion, reflects a lack of professionalism, with due respect, and I am confident that this is most easily remedied if provided is your consent. Now, as a disclaimer, the reader of this letter should be aware that I am not aiming to insult, "troll," or insincerely offer any criticism of your operating system and any of its components. I am simply focusing on a single component, which, as I previously stated, reflects a lack of professionalism that I believe you may have overlooked on.

As a proud Windows user, I am confident in saying that I view it as the primary choice for me and others. Clearly there will be people who will disagree with me, most of all the Ubuntu Team, Linux groups, and FOSS advocacies, whose open-source vision conflicts with Microsoft's, Apple's, and others. However, in all decency, I can say that, with prime confidence, Ubuntu is a fairly nice operating system. In fact, as of this time of writing, I am currently running Ubuntu 10.10 (and enjoying it, as well). Now, I perfectly understand how it is okay to disagree, and I also understand that (yes, one must admit so) the majority of Linux users, developers, or fans seem to have an overwhelming prejudice against Microsoft, and their products. As a developer myself, I have witnessed this ideology numerously, and I can say that it also associates, frequently, outside of the logical spectrum. By this, I am referring to blatantly untrue attacks, such as "Windows crashes all of the time", which are untrue in the present (Yes, Windows does NOT crash all of the time. If one were to read deep reviews of Windows 7, for example, they would find that it rarely crashes. I can confirm this, as I have two Windows 7 computers, and only one has crashed only once in the period of 9 months from purchase. That's all. I cannot, unfortunately, account for this stability on my Ubuntu machine, however I am not criticizing the Ubuntu Team for this.). In fairness, Ubuntu is more secure than Windows 7, and this is coming from a primary Windows user. The reverse can be said about Windows and Mac praisers, who also may say ridiculous things about Mac or Linux-based operating systems, which I also view as unfair and illogical.

I understand and apologize for the length of this email, however, I believe that in order to properly convey this topic, that it requires some pre-elaboration on my part. I conclude this elaboration with the condensed statement that I acknowledge the common prejudice against Microsoft and their products within the GNU/Linux community. This behavior can be observed on websites like gnome.org or libreoffice.org, where in one of their advertisements they imply that people who do not use open-source office suites are therefore "locked into Microsoft products." However, I am somewhat displeased, having used my Ubuntu system somewhat frequently, about one thing in particular that appears to have been a step too far for the Linux community. I would like to start off my complaint by saying that I am very displeased with the Dictionary application that is standard on every Ubuntu distribution. I know, it's just a dictionary application, however it is the fact that the Ubuntu Team would endorse the use of a tool that should be a credible source (yet is not) that has me somewhat angry here. When using the default dictionary for normal queries, some of them appear to credible. However, the fact that the Ubuntu Team would even dare to show such unprofessionalism by purposely injecting their own opinion into a much-needed resource has completely annoyed me. I have attached two screenshots of my system, below, for visual elaboration:

(two images used in this topic were used in this email also, so I have removed them on this forum post to avoid redundancy)

If you have not noticed by now, I am complaining about the fact that you would even do something as dishonest as this. In picture one, simply searching Microsoft gives you an opinionated take on their company and their products. Now, I know that some may share this opinion, especially the makers of the operating system, yet it is still unfair to do something like this. Just from this definition, if one had no idea what Microsoft was (or little idea), they would instantly assume that Microsoft is an "evil" company, which is a very low thing to assume blindly. The second picture is to further my claim that the GNU/Linux community will do anything to make attacks against Microsoft (even compromising a trusted resource like a dictionary) by showcasing how other queries of operating systems such as "Macintosh Operating System," "Linux," or "FreeBSD" return informative results, while a query of "Microsoft Windows" returns a biased, useless result that is far from informative, unlike the others.

Now, as an Ubuntu user, I must admit that I lose a little respect for Ubuntu and Linux when I realize that their developers are childish enough to do something like this. Just to show how the reverse does not happen on Microsoft's software, if you go to MSN Encarta (a dictionary owned by Microsoft) and search "Linux", instead of getting something childish and untrue like "The worst operating system in the world. Cannot possibly compete with other operating systems, as it is buggy, fragmented, etcetera," you get something like "a trademark for a computer operating system that is a free implementation of the UNIX operating system." (URL here: http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/dictionary/DictionaryResults.aspx?lextype=3&search=Linux ) My point here is that Microsoft doesn't do the same thing to you guys, even though they are your competitors. You really shouldn't do the same. It's just a question of what's honest and respectable. Would it be fair if Microsoft had an autocorrect feature in Office Word that changed the word "Linux" to "awful software"? I don't think so, and they wouldn't receive much praise for that.

I conclude by saying that I will continue to use Ubuntu (and other Linux operating systems) regardless of this instance, however I do not think that I can respect it as much if these things keep appearing in the operating system. My call to action is simple: I would appreciate it if you would, perhaps in the next Ubuntu release, modify the definitions of "Microsoft" and "Microsoft Windows" to make more sense, and not interject any rhetoric into the definitions. I would also appreciate it if you could reply to this email, letting me know what your opinions on it are, and any feedback if possible. I'm sure that, like I previously said, this is an easily remedied situation. You don't have to do this, remember. It's your operating system, not mine. I just would feel much happier knowing that you could put aside your differences to at least make (or point resources to, if the definition is on a server) a credible definition in your dictionary/server. I would appreciate it at least. Even just feedback would be appreciated.

Just an Ubuntu user,

-PlogCF ;)

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I just sent the Ubuntu Team (webmaster@ubuntu.com) my two cents:

You can be pretty much guaranteed that your email will achieve wide circulation at Canonical.

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I just sent the Ubuntu Team (webmaster@ubuntu.com) my two cents:

When you need to write a 600-word essay as a disclaimer because the community would dismiss you as a troll otherwise, you know something is really wrong.

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It's just amazing how far you FOSS nazis will go to justify shoving this stuff down everyone's throat.

Yes, we all get the "evil Microsoft empire" reference, gets thrown around every 30 seconds even in threads that have nothing to do with the subjet. We've heard the "Microsoft assimilation" drivel to death, even though it's apparently peachy keen when Linux blatantly rips off things. Heard the same tired (and grossly outdated) anti-Windows nonsense for years. Sure, software patents are silly, go chase the Apple guys for a while, we're sick to death of hearing about it.

Know what? Still doesn't mean jack when it comes to justifying a purely childish move like that. Joke, yea sure I can get that. Jokes or your political beliefs don't belong in reference materials. Ever. Don't preach to me about the supposed quality of FOSS software when they're passing themselves off as 4chan rejects. I'd rather use an Apple, and I hate OSX. At least I wouldn't have to double-check anything the computer tells me.

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I just sent the Ubuntu Team (webmaster@ubuntu.com) my two cents:

Did you send one to Microsoft when they publically called Linux "communist", "cancer" and as I recall "anti-american" (which in my eyes is actually a positive thing but whatever).

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Did you send one to Microsoft when they publically called Linux "communist", "cancer" and as I recall "anti-american" (which in my eyes is actually a positive thing but whatever).

Ummm...not the same.

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Oh for **** sake, its a goddamn joke. Are you people all THAT humour deaf? I honestly cannot comprehend how a topic about a funny dictionary definition can turn into a flame war about Microsoft being some red-cheeked angel and Linux being some evil people intent on ruining your day. It's laughable.

#NoHopeForFanboys

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Oh for **** sake, its a goddamn joke. Are you people all THAT humour deaf? I honestly cannot comprehend how a topic about a funny dictionary definition can turn into a flame war about Microsoft being some red-cheeked angel and Linux being some evil people intent on ruining your day. It's laughable.

I think that's the point.. if you want to make a joke put it up on your forums somewhere, not build it into the software. If Microsoft Office threw "cancer", "communist", and "thief" into the Linux definition, I'm pretty sure the die-hard FOSS users would be throwing a tantrum about it, while the Windows fanboys would be saying "lern2humor".

Me personally, could care less. I use a healthy mix of FOSS and corporate evil, I just pick what suits my needs the best versus living up to another persons ideals. If I pick a program that doesn't help Ballmer get a new car or another that makes Stallman cry, I could care less. It's a computer, not a soapbox. I like a good joke as much as the next person, just don't think that was a smart place to put it.

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That's probably the linux cancer, I'd get that looked at.

I use a Mac :-)

However, I find the whole deal a bit silly - Ubuntu uses an external dictionary for it, most likely something a lot of people can edit and it's just a joke anyway. Get over it and live on.

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Well, she's posting about it, so she probably could care less.
That's probably the linux cancer, I'd get that looked at.

I could care less about the whole FOSS vs evil empire thing. And wow, is this just going to turn into a herp derp lets see who can be more childish thread now?

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I could care less about the whole FOSS vs evil empire thing. And wow, is this just going to turn into a herp derp lets see who can be more childish thread now?

Well, I was kidding. I should've put this ;) after it.

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Well, I was kidding. I should've put this ;) after it.

No worries, I'm not terribly serious either, the whole thread is silly -- besides that second bit was for the other guy :D

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Nice find, but most Operating Systems have silly things hidden in them, remember the Easter Eggs in MS software of old?

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Did you send one to Microsoft when they publically called Linux "communist", "cancer" and as I recall "anti-american" (which in my eyes is actually a positive thing but whatever).

I <3 linux but...

1) source

2) "communist" - "a form of socialism that abolishes private ownership" - linux is more or less owned/pwn3d by the public, because the public can change and direct it.

3) "cancer" - well, linux use is growing 'uncontrolably' (by powers that don't want linux use to grow)

4) "anti-american" - also true. It's free when americans tend to want to pay for something. It doesn't bring many companies profits off of it, which american (companies) like.

They didn't really say anything false. Strongly worded? yea... but it's all true.

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Ever heard of easter eggs? Yes, those are probably easter eggs, since most Linux users wouldn't look up Microsoft or Macintosh on the OS's built-in dictionary to actually learn about those terms. It's a joke, nothing but that.

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