17 Jul
2009
17 Jul
'09
9:33 p.m.
Whilst Alex's mail may have some slightly over-the-top examples, he does
have a point. I would disagree that a newcomer is seen as a "threat"
however - I would suggest perhaps that it's more a case of "who does
this newbie think he is?"
Let's face it - what threat is one person toward a team of people?
I have seen disagreements between devs and newcomers, and even just
between devs, some have been very hostile.
Some people will stay and argue, but many will just go away silently.
Not everyone states their displeasure - particularly if it's their first
visit. They can just hit the X button on their browser/IRC window.
The #reactos IRC channel is far too volatile for a project's official
IRC channel - even if not actually intended to discuss development
matters, it has the potential to be the first point of contact a
newcomer will have with the developers. If someone wanders into a
"playground" environment, what impression does this leave them with? The
only moderation that seems to occur is quite ad-hoc. When someone feels
like kicking/blocking, they do it. Very often, it may not be for the
right reasons.
Granted there will be trolls, there will be timewasters, but there will
also be people who may be new to ReactOS, who may ultimately end up
being a core member of the team.
Also bear in mind, by creating something intended to be almost exactly
like Windows, the potential user base is likely to be less tech-savvy
than for example Linux users (and yes I realise there are Linux newbies,
too.) So there will *always* be people asking how to do relatively
simple things that they can do with Windows. Some people might not even
know what "alpha" means!
Anyway, that's my thoughts on the matter.
Andrew
www.silverblade.co.uk
Alex wrote:
Hello all,
Open-source and newcomers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I've been here for 2 weeks already and I want to share some thoughts
from the point of view of a newcomer.
I want to make a claim as an axiom and see where it goes from there.
If you don't agree with the axiom you should probably read something
on ethology and group behavior.
I beg you to be open-minded.
--
So the axiom is:
"A closed group of humans (and many other social animals) usually
is emotionally and irrationally unfriendly to newcomers, due to
the evolutionary baggage we all share."
The group assumes a hostile position to a newcomer. Many members don't
realize what is going on. It simply feels like: "I just hate this guy!"
Members, of course, feel special and somewhat better, just because
they are part of the group. They see newcomers as not-worthy to some
extent, just because the newcomer is not in the group. They see the
newcomer as an alien and – as a threat. Subconsciously. Don't bother
to reply and tell me that I am not-worthy to be seen as a threat :)
The general feeling is "Who the f#ck he thinks he is? He's not from
our group, he is not one of us (he didn't do anything to our project
yet). Blah-blah-blah... I just hate this guy!". This irrational hate
is very tangible, believe me. It is very de-motivational. (And I
probably shouldn't have reacted the way I did to some of it, but, hey,
I am no Jesus Christ, and it's only now that I've sorted those things
out for myself).
But you can say: Hey, we are not hostile, because:
- "I, personally, entered the group in the past and it was Ok."
- "Look at that guy and that guy – we were soooo nice to them!"
Let's see... When can a closed group readily accept a newcomer?
When it doesn't perceive him as a threat.
This means the newcomer must come in a very submissive pose and
exhibit not a slightest sign of aggressive attitude. Actually, the
more you cry for mercy, the more chances are that you will be easily
accepted into the group. Broken leg or being a total looser may help,
as compassion will start to overtake the initial hostility.
The "pose" on the text-based Internet is mainly how one talks.
This is an example of a submissive pose:
"Oh, Great Lords, you are so cool and I am not worthy. I beg you to
let me develop for ReactOS, I am not much, but I will dutifully learn
from you, Wise Masters, I will catch every word you say and ignore any
insults you will throw my way. I will not criticize you in any way.
I will do all the shitty tasks silently and obediently for several years
until I slowly climb your social ladder. I will not complain of being
called stupid and not-worthy 'cause that's who I am..."
And so it goes... An ass-kisser, to be short.
And then the Wise Great Masters will generously allow this no-worthy
worm into their Temple.
This happens everywhere. Just take a closer look.
--
But this constitutes a problem. The group acts as a filter that favors
the wrong kind of people.
Because a good developer, after all, is usually opinionated, criticizes
what he thinks is wrong, doesn't like to be called stupid and be given
insults and shitty tasks. He challenges existing routines and things
the group got used to. He is a threat.
--
Unfortunately, I do not have a solution. I just want to attract your
attention to it.
P.S. You may ask – didn't you think that this hostility is a
consequence of you being a jerk? If being a jerk means not kissing
asses of Great Masters – then yeah, I may be guilty of that.
P.P.S. Before posting a reply, please take a look inside you and try
to see if that reply is based on "I just hate this guy!" :)
Thanks!