Although this thread was started in the General discussion forum, the Moderators have seen fit to relegate it to the Off Topic discussion forum. I find that a little disappointing.
Let me start by saying that the apology and acknowledgement initially expressed were genuine. Furthermore, I understand that the manner in which I conveyed my recent experiences likely came across as a lot of whining. That was not my intent. I was simply trying to get those involved to see that there are often unexpected consequences to actions. When I made that post, I knew that there was a good chance that it would turn into yet another bitch session, which it kind of did. I fully expected that I'd have to try to get the discussion back on topic, which was the question posed in the subject line, and was prepared to do so this morning. I now see that it isn't necessary, as I have my answer: "This is Linux, what do you expect?" Unfortunately, this is not an answer, it's a meme.
I recently started my 71st trip around the sun. I can remember a time when I could call one of my grandmothers by dialing five digits. Calling the other one required dialing a single digit, and politely reciting the number to the nice lady who answered. I've seen a great deal of change so far in my life, and I hope to see a great deal more. It's a hard lesson to learn, but once one understands that they must not only accept change, but embrace it, life becomes much easier and interesting.
It's quite obvious that whining isn't tolerated well on this forum, to the extent that users are openly told not to do it, and that there will be consequences if they fail to comply. Unfortunately, people generally dislike change. That's a fact of life. As a result, even the most innocuous change will often generate complaints. However, it's been my experience that if you really want to generate a negative response, you present the change as a surprise. Once that's been done, no amount of justifying the change can quell the reaction.
There was a time when software companies employed armies of documentation writers. I've accepted that that time has passed, and I'm not asking for it's return. All I'm asking for is a heads up. Some meaningful thought into the consequences of the change, and that those consequences be openly communicated. No more surprises.
And to those of you who find whining annoying, I offer this as solace: This is real life, what do you expect?
I'm now going back to what I was doing before I was so rudely interrupted.
Let me start by saying that the apology and acknowledgement initially expressed were genuine. Furthermore, I understand that the manner in which I conveyed my recent experiences likely came across as a lot of whining. That was not my intent. I was simply trying to get those involved to see that there are often unexpected consequences to actions. When I made that post, I knew that there was a good chance that it would turn into yet another bitch session, which it kind of did. I fully expected that I'd have to try to get the discussion back on topic, which was the question posed in the subject line, and was prepared to do so this morning. I now see that it isn't necessary, as I have my answer: "This is Linux, what do you expect?" Unfortunately, this is not an answer, it's a meme.
I recently started my 71st trip around the sun. I can remember a time when I could call one of my grandmothers by dialing five digits. Calling the other one required dialing a single digit, and politely reciting the number to the nice lady who answered. I've seen a great deal of change so far in my life, and I hope to see a great deal more. It's a hard lesson to learn, but once one understands that they must not only accept change, but embrace it, life becomes much easier and interesting.
It's quite obvious that whining isn't tolerated well on this forum, to the extent that users are openly told not to do it, and that there will be consequences if they fail to comply. Unfortunately, people generally dislike change. That's a fact of life. As a result, even the most innocuous change will often generate complaints. However, it's been my experience that if you really want to generate a negative response, you present the change as a surprise. Once that's been done, no amount of justifying the change can quell the reaction.
There was a time when software companies employed armies of documentation writers. I've accepted that that time has passed, and I'm not asking for it's return. All I'm asking for is a heads up. Some meaningful thought into the consequences of the change, and that those consequences be openly communicated. No more surprises.
And to those of you who find whining annoying, I offer this as solace: This is real life, what do you expect?
I'm now going back to what I was doing before I was so rudely interrupted.
Statistics: Posted by T J Kong — Sat Nov 29, 2025 6:13 pm