How To Encourage Women in Linux

tldp.org

4 points·antiform··9 comments

Talk about gender stereotyping. This may be shocking but I'm a woman who can sew and use linux.

Guess what? so can my boyfriend!

Awesome situation. I can't do either, but I'd sure rather learn Linux. More power to you.

This is really overly sensitive. The word "bitch" is offensive to women? I talk to women all the time that use the word. They don't seem offended by it.

Anyway, I don't think anyone on the Internet cares what gender you are. Women just don't seem to be that interested in programming.

It's all in how you use the word, I'm sure.

As for, "Women just don't seem to be..." types of generalizations... not a place I'd like to go. The same is sometimes generalized about people of my ethnicity; but that doesn't reduce my wish to be received with respect and consideration.

Do take a look at all the (women) signatories at the bottom of one of the linked articles in original post. [Several links seem to have gone dead in just the last half hour.]

As for, "Women just don't seem to be..." types of generalizations

If they were interested, they would be actively participating.

Women already get enough special treatment. If you register for a computer forum with a female avatar, the amount of attention you get and rapidity with which your questions get answered is inordinate.

Coming up next - how to get more men interested in sewing.

Whenever I join a sewing-related IRC channel, I am inundated with sexual advances because of my obviously-male nickname. This needs to stop, or men will never have a fair shake at being sew-ers. (sewers?)

Oh wait, sorry. I was confusing a situation I made up in my mind with reality.

And not all of that attention desirable or even respectful.

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