I’d say that KDE article went well, everyone whose opinion I care about said very nice things. I received one email about it, and it was from a software developer who wanted to let me know about his project and how much they needed artwork, documentation, usability and internationalization skills – cool!
It’s funny that my first full interview somewhere was on a KDE website, the closest I’ve ever come to KDE is enjoying an evening and fine glass of wine with a local KDE developer and his wife. I’ve never really used it on my desktop.
All the usual flames came. I’d say it was a nice little representation of all the typical views whenever this is brought up:
- support from fellow Linuxchix, friends and others who live and understand my views
- a comment about hot linux babes
- a couple rants about how sexist I am for promoting an outreach to women
- a comment from a woman who feels insulted and believes the experiences of others are invalid because she hasn’t had them (I imagine this is a difficult way to live your life)
- a comment from someone who thinks that we should all deal with assholes at shops to futher our cause (sorry, I’m all for this cause but sometimes I just want to buy a harddrive without being hassled)
- comments from people who might be well-meaning but don’t understand the issue
- a comment meant to be funny by taking my words out of context
- …and my favorite – translating my comment “more women work in documentation, translations and artwork” into “I don’t believe women are technical and they should just do art.”
I only bothered replying to one comment in the article.
The same arguments come up again and again with this women and F/OSS thing, but that just makes them much easier they are to take after a while. I really have gotten to know what is worth replying to (who will listen) and what is better just left alone.
Honestly? I sometimes wish I was one of these fellows who simply didn’t understand the issue. I sometimes wish I could be like the guy who replied and said “Everyone feels they need to prove themselves at LUG meetings.” Somehow I doubt he understands that I’ve actually been asked IF I USE LINUX at a LUG meeting, or better yet, had the guy I happened to catch a ride with be asked “Does your girlfriend use Linux too?” while I’m STANDING RIGHT THERE (Why not ask me directly? Does he think I wouldn’t know if I used Linux or not? Does he just want an “AWESOME YOUR GIRL USES LINUX! SCORE!” moment? Maybe I’m being too harsh and he’s just scared of women).
As if my role as an activist for Women in F/OSS was not already solidified, I guess this article does it. I never would have classified myself as this until recently, which may seem surprising since I’ve coordinated the PhillyChix for a few years now. I think there is just too much bad press about feminists and I didn’t want to be put into the category with all that, so I didn’t put myself into that category in my head.
I guess “Feminist” should be put with “Atheist” and “Liberal” in that pile of words I’m Taking Back ;)