 There's this idea on the internet usually it is talked about by Linux youtubers They have this claim that there is no such thing as the Linux community that the Linux community as Most people think about it doesn't actually exist and I think that that is a hundred percent not true I think that it is blatantly obvious to anyone who pays attention that the Linux community actually does exist All you have to do is be where the links community is they're in forums. They're on reddit. They're in discord. They're in IRC that is the links community. Is it fractured? Is it fragmented? Yes Definitely there are many tribes within the links community that all are very happy to Proclaim their love of whatever it is they use on any given day And I'm talking about the arch guys, of course the emacs guys the gentoo guys You know every everyone has their thing that they love and they try to Market that thing as much as possible to other people sometimes not in the most tactful way But you know, whatever that's just kind of the way they are and you know, that's okay I guess I mean some people go a little bit far with it But whatever it is but to say that the links community doesn't exist is just wrong-headed because it does exist It is a collection of smaller communities just like any large community can be it's like a city like just just because you know Like New York City exists, but it's filled with a whole bunch of little cities inside of it You know it has boroughs and it has like Chinatown and you know all all these little Hamlets where people congregate because of similarities or whatever because of history, right? Linux is kind of the same way people congregate in little places But they're all a part of this grander thing that is the Linux community because it definitely does exist and The thing about it is that the Linux community is Amazing like one of the things that I talk about all the time as being the greatest thing about Linux It's not the open-source nature of the kernel It's not the plethora of software that's available or the choice you have when it comes to distros or desktop environments or window managers None of those things those are all great But the best thing the absolute best thing about Linux the best thing that you'll ever discover on Linux Is the community itself because not only are there a ton of people here that are willing to help you and Talk to you and just be nerds with you You'll also just find a ton of people who are like you, you know, I mean they If you consider yourself a nerd or a tech person like that's moving into nerddom, you know Whatever stage of the process you're in you're going to find people who are exactly like you who got into Linux for the exact reasons you've gotten into it and You don't even have to have problems and talk about problems with them You just have to find that you have these things in common and the number of friends you'll make in this situation is astonishing because That's been my experience and a lot of people that I've talked to have also been in the exact same boat They came into the Linux community and just have met so many wonderful people Even if they don't go to conferences and stuff like that even just if it's just online friends You're going to find that there are just so many people that Are in the same boat that you are they're living their lives and they've chosen to do so in some part by being a part of this wonderful community and To say that it doesn't exist kind of Cheapens it in such a way That makes me feel a little sad because if you don't think that the Linux community exists that means that the only experiences you've had with it were probably negative and That is a little disappointing because that and that is something that happens Like if you come into using Linux and your first experience is negative You're you know you meet the rtfm guy or you meet the guy who says everything's a skill issue because you're obviously dumbass You know if you're only experienced with the Linux community is the small portion of the Linux community that are assholes You know, maybe you know Maybe you think that the only part of the Linux community that exists are those people and that's not true at all Like it's just not true okay the Linux community is filled with people who are helpful friendly passionate about open-source software and The vast majority of them are perfectly happy to talk up for days on end but first basically anything now, you know and That's what makes it so amazing You can get in forums and IRC and just have random chats with people about things that interest you and It's an experience that is hard to find in any other place Specifically surrounding things like software. You're not going to find a community like this with Windows The only time you ever interact with a fellow Windows user is when you're having problems with it with Windows Because nobody's really passionate about Windows, you know, I mean Mac and Apple is a little bit different because they do have that fandom You know like feel like people who are users of Apple software and hardware. They're fans of it, right? just like Linux people are fans of Linux, you know that they have that fandom feel and Those two communities are kind of similar But with Linux at least you feel like you can be proud because it's everything here that we create They that the Linux community creates. I don't say I create anything But that the Linux community and creates the developers and stuff like that It's created by the community for the community and it's something to be proud of and if you can get into the community and Talk to people maybe become involved in creating documentation or if you're a coder, you know start developing stuff, whatever It's an inclusive experience and I think that's what makes the Linux community So damn good is that you can get involved in any number of ways. You don't have to be Technologically astute you can just be the type of person who gets in there and finds typos in documentation or Take screenshots for documentation or whatever, you know You there's any numbers of ways to get involved and when you do get involved However small amount that is even if it's just talking to other people and trying to come up with ideas, you know When you do become involved it makes you feel a part of something that is so much Bigger and I think that that is so good. So To those of you who don't think the Linux community is good or the don't think the Linux community exists I don't think that you're right. I think the Linux community is Fantastic and without it. I don't think that Linux would be as good as it is So that's it for this video a little bit of a rambly video Those things happen from time to time if you have comments on this You can leave those comments in the comment section below if you want to follow me on Twitter You can do so at the Linux cast if you want to follow me on Mastodon or Odyssey you can find those links in the video description right below the like button You can support me on patreon at patreon.com slash the Linux cast just like all of these fine people Thanks to all of you who support me on patreon and YouTube. I truly do appreciate it. I Always say this and you would think that I'd spend some time away from making these videos to come up with the words But I still don't have the words just to say how grateful I am to have everyone who supports me on patreon YouTube So thank you so very very much. Thanks everybody for watching. I'll see you next time