[TAG] "I'll do it myself, thanks" open-source app: Gobby (cf. SubEthaEdit)

[Benjamin A. Okopnik]

On Wed, Nov 02, 2005 at 08:38:33AM +0530, Kapil Hari Paranjape wrote:
> Hello,
> 
> On Tue, 01 Nov 2005, Rick Moen wrote:
> > Quoting Benjamin A. Okopnik (ben at linuxgazette.net):
> > 
> > > If you can explain what I'm missing, I'd be grateful.
> > 
> > On a "What the Hell?" theory, let's take a historical approach to the
> > question.
> <detailed essay snipped>
> 
> First reaction. Wow! As usual Rick's precise explanations leave
> one more or less speechless. I am truly amazed at how clearly
> he has managed to put in words *my* reluctance to join "hosted services"
> that are free as in "mufta" beer---mind reader :)
> 
> However, ...
> 
> The two words that dominate his essay are "control" and "autonomy". The
> latter is necessarily a good thing as I'm sure most people agree. The
> main problem is that I'm much more reluctant than Rick is to *admit*
> that the former forms an integral part of my argument; for the risk of
> being called a "control freak" if nothing else!
> 
> Is there some way one can put a better spin on the "need to control"
> or some explicit limits so that it too can be seen more positively?

For myself, I don't see control as a negative - as long as it points
*in* rather than out. I've never heard the term "control freak" applied
to, say, yoga practitioners - and yet, this is one of the largest facets
of yoga practice. Instead, the term usually refers to people who want to
control _others,_ or other people's resources (which amounts to the same
thing.) When someone denotes the former in me, I see it as a compliment;
the latter would be an insult if false and a really bad problem to be
fixed ASAP if true.

So, instead of "spinning" it one way or the other, simply ask the person
using the term what they mean. And be sure to thank them when they
compliment you. :)

> For example, using the "hosting services" of community projects like
> Debian or LG or arXiv is/ought-to-be fine. But even for these one
> needs backups ...

There's always your machine (backup #1) and a spare hard drive or a
couple of DVDs (backup #2.) So, if the remote server does a number two
on your data, you'll be able to restore from, um...

> P.S. Where was I? Lurking in knee-deep water[1].
> 
> [1] Check news about Chennai last week.

All I can find is "Chennai's been short of water, now resolved." Are you
just enjoying the feel of being able to fill your bathtub to knee-deep,
or are you talking about something different?


* Ben Okopnik * Editor-in-Chief, Linux Gazette * http://linuxgazette.net *