Ya know... I totally understand how that happened - and it is quite ridiculous that she could have solved all her problems with a 2 second google search (friends house, library, whatever).. but I still do feel sorry for the poor girl.

The guys that harassed her and the news that badly aren't doing Linux or Ubuntu any favors. It just feeds the stereotype that all Linux users are elitist a**holes that rule through intimidation and arrogance.

Forums like iTT wouldn't exist if that were true.. but that's the message that gets sent. Yes, the news story was frustrating because the tone of it was done in such a way as to make it sound that the OS couldn't do what she asked.. so the story could have used a re-write to point out that all this was, in fact, a user error. (both while ordering the PC, and while operating it)... but it doesn't make her evil, stupid, unworthy of a college degree.. and certainly not the crap she got on facebook.

I had to laugh at the guys blog.. he actually was quite right most of the time. I know I'm no saint.. I can be a jerk sometimes, and I've pulled the "Did you search?" card a couple times... but tracking people down and harassing them, name-calling, etc.. is just unnecessary. An email to the reporters merely pointing their flaws; namely: Ubuntu can very easily edit/create/modify Word documents, and the CD to connect to the internet was unnecessary... I can understand. An email screaming they are all idiots unworthy of living is just nonsense and unhelpful to both them, and the community they are so passionate about.

I love my Linux... I despise and hate everything Microsoft... but that doesn't mean I need to flaunt superiority to everyone I meet.