"Linux Community."

"Linux community." It's a term I've used a lot on this channel--and it's a term that has gotten some heat, recently.

Most of the criticism I've heard comes from this isolationist mindset that "There's no such thing as the Linux Community because you can't have a community made out of people you've never met."

And I guess if you wanted to read the dictionary entry for "community" and then deliberately pick the definition that is least applicable to its usage here, you might be able to convince a few keyboard-pecking rugged individualists of your technical correctness...

It might surprise some people to learn that there are few things in the world less impressive than being technically correct. Especially if you're a smug jerk about it.

But saying "there's no such thing as the Linux community" is like saying "There is no such thing as the Internet, there is only a protocol which allows a collection of private computer networks that communicate between each other."

Throughout my life as I've met fellow Linux users in person--it is often a fun and uplifting experience.

Perhaps my perception here is skewed by the fact that I have even a modest measure of celebrity status in the Linux world because of this channel, but even if they've never watched this channel before--being able to connect with a person who shares similar interests has been a fraternal experience.

But perhaps those folks who proffer a lonesome Andrew Ryan-esque perspective have a point. I mean, I did say "the folks I've met in person."

Perhaps there is no Linux community because Linux is not a solid enough common interest. I mean, there are so many use cases for Linux. You have embedded systems, servers, desktop Linux, and Raspberry Pis... what could all those people have in common?

Passion. If you're the kind of person who is passionate enough about Linux to go to Linux Fest North West or enter the System76 Superfan events or attend a local Linux User Group or even just join a distro's forum... people like that are the basis of a community.

When I was growing up I was a huge Star Trek fan. So was my dad. My dad's favorite part of Trek was the Klingons. He loved Worf, General Chang, Martok, Lursa and Betor, any movie or episode that centered around the Klingons or their culture--that was my dad's jam.

And when my dad discovered Klingon Assault Groups, he formed his own local chapter. Klingon Assault Group? It's where Trek fans who are passionate about Klingons and their culture to meet, to role play as our own Klingon alter egos, and take action in their community. He got permission from our church leadership to use the Sunday School room for our KAG headquarters.

We did charitable work as our Klingon characters. We met new people both in person and through the web. Made awesome friends. Formed a community.

And when one of our fellow local KAG members passed away--people from other chapters who had never met him in person participated in a Klingon funeral ritual over the web.

I don't care what anyone says. I've had the same experience ever since I became a Linux user. I've made awesome friends--even if we've never met in person. I am part of the Linux community--despite what a handful of cynical, forlorn, dejected folks might say.

I'm PROUD to be part of this community. I'm PROUD to welcome ANYONE with even a passing interest. I'm PROUD to help educate those who care enough to seek knowledge. I'm PROUD of the channel that I've built and that I have not resorted to the easy, divisive soothsaying that too many other voices in the community have come to profit from.

Finally I'm especially PROUD of this community of folks who leave thoughtful, respectful comments that help try to build other people up. Who reach out to me when I make mistakes and offer corrections. And who contribute to Free and Open Source software.

My thesis is that without community, we're nothing. Let's try to build each other up and help Free and Open Source software move forward in a way that makes us all stronger.