<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 3.2 Final//EN">
<HTML>
<HEAD>
<META NAME="GENERATOR" CONTENT="SGML-Tools 1.0.9">
<TITLE>Linux Advocacy mini-HOWTO: Canons of Conduct</TITLE>
<LINK HREF="Advocacy-7.html" REL=next>
<LINK HREF="Advocacy-5.html" REL=previous>
<LINK HREF="Advocacy.html#toc6" REL=contents>
</HEAD>
<BODY>
<A HREF="Advocacy-7.html">Next</A>
<A HREF="Advocacy-5.html">Previous</A>
<A HREF="Advocacy.html#toc6">Contents</A>
<HR>
<H2><A NAME="s6">6. Canons of Conduct</A></H2>
<P>
<P>
<UL>
<LI>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.
</LI>
<LI>Avoid hyperbole and unsubstantiated claims at all costs. It's
unprofessional and will result in unproductive discussions.
</LI>
<LI>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.
</LI>
<LI>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.
</LI>
<LI>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.
</LI>
<LI>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.
</LI>
<LI>Respect the use of other operating systems. While Linux is
a wonderful platform, it does not meet everyone's needs.
</LI>
<LI>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.
</LI>
<LI>Give credit where credit is due. Linux is just the kernel.
Without the efforts of people involved with the
<A HREF="http://www.gnu.org/gnu/linux-and-gnu.html">GNU project</A>,
MIT, Berkeley and others too numerous to mention, the Linux
kernel would not be very useful to most people.
</LI>
<LI>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.
</LI>
<LI>There will be cases where Linux is not the
answer. Be the first to recognize this and offer another
solution.</LI>
</UL>
<P>
<P>
<HR>
<A HREF="Advocacy-7.html">Next</A>
<A HREF="Advocacy-5.html">Previous</A>
<A HREF="Advocacy.html#toc6">Contents</A>
</BODY>
</HTML>
