Perhaps of interest: 'Basics of the Unix Philosophy'

[UK_Eliter]

See this link. I am not really competent to appraise it, and indeed I haven't read all of it, but, as someone who is getting into Linux (using it and, to a limited extent, programming it) and as someone who has written OXPs, I found it interesting.

[another_commander]

Not Oolite related, moving to Outworld.

[Day]

All of ESR writings are worth a read. Sometimes a tatoo.
They're commonly concise, conceptually concentrated, and the kind of reasonings one may attain after 10 years of practice in the field he describes.

I put there the general link to his writings: http://www.catb.org/esr/writings/

<ranting>My own trilogy of masters/models are Richard Stallman (for the ethics and philosophy of free software), Eric Raymond (for the engineering efficiency of open source) and Linus Torvalds (for the "stop talking, work now" attitude)</ranting>.

[UK_Eliter]

Thanks, Day. Good to learn about Eric Raymond.

[Day]

You're welcome

Be nethertheless aware that some of his ideas are usually grating on european nerves, as they are justified by nord-american values and contexts. For example his position on weapons.

[UK_Eliter]

You're welcome

Be nethertheless aware that some of his ideas are usually grating on european nerves, as they are justified by nord-american values and contexts. For example his position on weapons.

I can imagine. He'll move fairly seamlessly, I reckon, from 'I'll use my computer, which I bought, how I want' to 'I'll use my gun, which I bought, how I want'. Or something along those lines.

[Day]

You're welcome

Be nethertheless aware that some of his ideas are usually grating on european nerves, as they are justified by nord-american values and contexts. For example his position on weapons.

I can imagine. He'll move fairly seamlessly, I reckon, from 'I'll use my computer, which I bought, how I want' to 'I'll use my gun, which I bought, how I want'. Or something along those lines.

In fact, no. It's based on "american people rebelled against an unjust english government, which was levying taxes without due representation, soldiers forcing their way into american homes and weapons being forbidden to the people (i'm not so sure on this one), so it's the duty of each american citizen to be wary of the government and have the means to fight it if needed". And as he is the kind of guy who acts on his logic, he is proficient in weapons, and in martial arts.

From my point of view, it's totally logic in a usa context; but from a standard french point of view, well...
"the government is a positive force", "we would remove it if needed (meaning revolution if necessary)", "everybody isn't quite balanced, so the control of weapons is a good thing".

[Diziet Sma]

from a standard french point of view, well...
"the government is a positive force"

I submit that the above phrase is, in fact, an oxymoron.

At best, the only sensible thing to say in response to it would be "for whom?"

[spud42]

the government of course....

[Diziet Sma]

the government of course....

Nailed it!

[Day]

As much as I agree with you both, the standard french view is that the government is beneficial to the people.
And that the least rich you are, the most in need of the government help you are.

To give context, less than 10% of active people are not salaried (which means quite well protected here):
http://www.insee.fr/fr/themes/series-lo ... n-salaries

So people here are mostly sheeps, in that they are led by others.

[NigelJK]

The original intention of the 'bare arms' amendment was to allow local militia to be raised when necessary for individual states, not for personal weapons. For a good (independent) grounding on the US and it's formation have a read of Bill Bryson 'Made in America'. Normally a 'travel writer' (most of his books are worth reading anyway) he wanted to find the definitive book of how America came about but found none. This book is fully cross referenced to the original sources and is as near an Academic work as you will find on the subject.