Finding current distribution

[ttx336]

Originally Posted by Nickisgod1

how could you possibly not know.
what kind of package management system do you have, take a look at uname -a the kernel might give you a clue if it is specially compiled for your distro. is their any artwork to give you a clue?

I know that I originally installed FC5 but I read how to update the software, including the operating system. I did not know if that update meant that it would merely update FC5 or if it would move me from 5 to 6, etc. So, I wanted to check after the update what distribution I was currently running. I did also find on Google the /etc/release file after I posted the question but I also wanted to know if there was a way in the GUI.

Now, let me say that from what I have read this whole Linux project was founded on the premise of sharing knowledge and encouraging others to join in. In fact, here is a quote from the fedoraproject.org homepage, "Fedora is a Linux-based operating system that showcases the latest in free and open source software. Fedora is always free for anyone to use, modify, and distribute. It is built by people across the globe who work together as a community: the Fedora Project. The Fedora Project is open and anyone is welcome to join." Hmmm... doesn't feel that way to me.

So to get an answer like "how could you possibly not know" shows me that the original vision of Linus Torvalds may have been lost. I am not basing my thoughts on just this one reply, I have read plenty of scathing remarks about questions that have been posted. May I remind you folks that forums exist for those of us who don't know? The whole point is to share and exchange information so why not welcome all questions no matter how basic? What is the point in demeaning sarcastic remarks?

In the mid 80's I began writing code in Pascal, C and Basic Assembler for PCs and the IBM 370. Since then much has changed but I am still writing code for a living but for a different kind of computer. So, suffice it to say that I am not technologically challenged and I know my my around MS-DOS and Windows and yet I never felt the need in all the countless hours I spent teaching and tutoring folks to ask someone something like, "how could you possibly not know?"

As I have said in a couple of my other posts, I am evaluating Linux because I have always been unimpressed by Windows and I am looking for an alternative other than a Mac but I am finding that the elitist, exclusivity that I has so often been associated with the UNIX community has unfortuantely permeated the Linux community as well. Is that what ya'll want? I sure hope not.

GB

[Seve]

Hello GB:
I don't think Nick meant any harm

However, he is very capable of explaining his words /responses on his own.

I can tell you, that this forum is definitely not about being "elitist" far from it.
It is about users helping other users from the cherries to the veterans.

For the vast majority it's a great place to share, learn and at the same time have some fun

Seve

[ttx336]

Dan,

Your labeling me as thin-skinned and Seve's support of Nick's response only supports my suspicions of this forum. I have had much training in conflict resolution and I can say from all of my past experiences that if I offend someone and they bring it to my attention, telling them that their feelings are unjustified, ie: telling them that they are thin-skinned, is completley unproductive. We may not agree with how someone feels but feelings are not right or wrong, they just are... what we do about them is a completely different matter. Our response, our actions are really about the only thing in this world we have complete control over.

Ultimately, I did find the information I was looking for in the responses but I reamin steadfast in my cautions to ya'll that us newbies are hesitant to ask questions in the first place so a little extra grace would be helpful. One only need look at the number of posts I have made here and/or read them and I am very open that I am new to Linux (but not new to computers).

GB

ps. People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.

[Dan]

Evening, Gary.

I was a bit harsh, and have pulled the post saying so. My apologies. I have also looked at your posts. I did so before I wrote the post I just deleted.

I think most of these things indeed stem from misunderstandings, and it was none of our intents to make you feel unwelcome. It was my intention to say that after 15 posts of good natured problem solving, I didn't think Nick needed scolding.

Dan

[ttx336]

Originally Posted by TangledWeb

Evening, Gary.

I was a bit harsh, and have pulled the post saying so. My apologies. I have also looked at your posts. I did so before I wrote the post I just deleted.

I think most of these things indeed stem from misunderstandings, and it was none of our intents to make you feel unwelcome. It was my intention to say that after 15 posts of good natured problem solving, I didn't think Nick needed scolding.

Dan

Thank you Dan, apology accepted. When I wrote my reply I tried to quote you and noticed that the post was gone, I didn't realize it was possible to delete them. I have much to learn about forums as well. I often see posts where people quote more than one post in their own reply, how is that done? Maybe this a topic for another forum or is there some kind of instruction page somewhere?

GB

I may have found it, is it the "wrap quote tags" button above?

Originally Posted by ttx336

Thank you Dan, apology accepted. When I wrote my reply I tried to quote you and noticed that the post was gone, I didn't realize it was possible to delete them. I have much to learn about forums as well. I often see posts where people quote more than one post in their own reply, how is that done? Maybe this a topic for another forum or is there some kind of instruction page somewhere?

GB

I may have found it, is it the "wrap quote tags" button above?

There are two basic ways to reply to a post. If you want to reply quoting the previous poster, you hit the 'Quote' button at the bottom, if you want a basic, empty window, you hit 'Reply Post'

Even if you hit 'Reply Post' you can still quote or add other formatting by hitting 'Go Advanced'

Good luck

Wayne

[Dan]

If you look at the message window you are typing in, you will see a cartoon style dialog icon. Click it once to enter the opening quote tag, then again after the cut&paste for the closing tag. Try it. You'll see the syntax in the typing box.

To delete a post, choose "edit" from the posts title bar. In the top section you will see the options to delete.


Dan

[ttx336]

If you look at the message window you are typing in, you will see a cartoon style dialog icon. Click it once to enter the opening quote tag, then again after the cut&paste for the closing tag. Try it. You'll see the syntax in the typing box.

There are two basic ways to reply to a post. If you want to reply quoting the previous poster, you hit the 'Quote' button at the bottom, if you want a basic, empty window, you hit 'Reply Post'

Even if you hit 'Reply Post' you can still quote or add other formatting by hitting 'Go Advanced'

Good luck

Wayne

Thank you both!

GB

[Dan]

You are welcome.

[marcrblevins]

Welcome to Fedora.

You may be a newbie and an idiot up front, but as you get a hang of it, learn more experience, become SMARTY with Linux. Its worth it. You'll love Fedora as much you love your favorite Windows. :P

Note: not calling anyone an idiot, just a saying...

[Dan]

OK folks. the problem is solved so, with that, this one is temporarily closed.

Thread closed.


EDIT: At Nick's request, this thread is open again. But it will be permanently closed after he posts.


Dan

[nick.stumpos]

ttx336 dan was nice enough to allow me one more post here, just wanted to apologize publicly for coming off to you as elitist, that was not my intent, and Im sure If you stick around for a little longer you will find us a friendly, helpful group of individuals.