Now that the Linux Action Show is 3 years old… I thought now would be a good time to take a look back at the last few years and see just how far things have come (and how the mere existence of the Linux Action Show has changed the face of Linux and podcasting… for ever).

According to Wikipedia, the very first episode ever was June 10, 2006.

This is false.  The first show was, in fact, recorded on June 6, 2006.

This is, of course, just another example of Wikipedia attempting to rob us of our accomplishments and contributions to the world.  Those 4 days… they are precious.

Here’s a few other tidbits that are, suspiciously, absent form the Linux Action Show Wikipedia article:

• The first episode was recorded with yours truley riding a lion.  That I had just tamed that morning.  With my voice.
• We’re pretty sure Chris killed a guy once… simply by being too awesome all the time.

Other examples of extremely important things that Wikipedia seeks to erradicate from the globe, simply because of their relation to Jupiter Broadcasting: “Gadook” and “Foundational Beer“.

To list out the ways in which the big show impacted Linux itself… is not physically possible.  MySQL databases simply cannot hold that many characters.

I’ll sum all of that up with this:

“Dear all of the internet and the universe.  You are welcome.  Sincerely, Bryan.”

Which brings me to the topic of “Linux Podcasting”.  Turns out… we’ve had a little impact there as well.  Oh!  I have an idea!  Time for a bulleted list of how we impacted a few shows!

• The Linux Link Tech Show has existed for many years.  But, prior, to being inspired by the Linux Action Show… they were known simply as “The Waffle Discussion Hour with Pat”.
• Lug Radio, upon hearing our first episode, immediately disbanded and ceased production.  Their leader, Jono Bacon, is quoted as saying, “I think the hosts of the Linux Action Show are super-duper attractive and it’s really weird how much I talk about that fact to everyone I meet.  Like… I talk about it way too much.”
• FLOSS Weekly, feeling the threat of competition, have decided to cut down on the amount of time per episode they talk about MacOS X (down to 93% from 95%).
• You know you’ve hit the big time when entire shows are created for no other purpose than to talk about how pretty you are (*cough* Linux Cranks and Linux Outlaws *cough*).

We’ll be showing everyone how it is done tomorrow (the 6th) at 4pm (PST.

To recap:

NICE.

Oh good.  Linux Hater has replied to my challenge to stop being anonymous and debate me.

And, look at that, it is a numbered list of excuses why he isn’t going to man up.

Because it sounds like fun, I’m going to quote his entire post and reply to each item inline…

“I feel like I’ve given this Lunduke fellow too much credit.”

“A challenge? really?”

“Let me point out a few things:”

“1. You take yourself waaay too seriously. Imagine what a twat I’d look like if I went after every other person that talked shit about my blog. And just so you know, I don’t fucking follow your blog OK? Some reader sent me the link to your video. He probably felt sorry for you.”

1. This is really like 4 (or 5 depending on how you count) points all under item “1″.
2. Nobody is talking about you responding to everyone who “talked shit” about your blog.
3. Also, worth pointing out, the entire purpose of your blog is to “talk shit”.
4. Finally, on the whole “you not following my blog” front… the phrase “The lady doth protest too much, methinks” comes to mind.

“2. You clearly don’t get the point of this blog.”

That is entirely possible.  Though, and I’m going out on a limb here, the point seems to be “being cranky about Linux (and Linux-related topics and people)”.

It’s either that or “an excuse to call people names in a completely anonymous fashion under the guise of disliking a particular piece of software”.

“3. You also clearly don’t get the point of me being anonymous. Do you really think I want freetards hassling me in my real life? I just want a place to voice my frustrations. It’s all o’y'all that are having a hissy fit over it. Do you think I want dialogue? Think again lundude. I’m done trying to talk to freetards.”

I fully get the point of you being anonymous.  You want to call people names but not have to face those individuals directly or deal with the results.

I just think it’s incredibly un-cool.

As for the whole “It’s all o’y'all that are having a hissy fit over it” remark… it’s worth pointing out that you fired the first shot here sir/ma’am.

It is incredibly obvious that you are seeking a reaction.  And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that at all.  If you have a message you want to get out, it’s helpful to go about it in such a way as to draw a crowd.

That said…

If a man goes running down main street wearing nothing but a Tu-Tu and banging cymbals together… it would be pretty retarded of him to say “can you believe people looked at me when I did that and had an opinion about it?!”.

“4. Also, if you haven’t noticed, freetards are notoriously terrible at separating an argument from the person making it. So why the fuck would I give them any opportunity to dismiss me just because of who I am or what I do for a living.”

… “freetards are notoriously terrible at separating an argument from the person making it”?

Not that I’m going to disagree with you here… I know the kind of person you’re talking about (I’ve lamented their attitudes on the Linux Action Show many times myself).  But… Here’s a quote from you in your initial reaction to the video:

“Your audience is more retarded than you are.”

I’m going to go ahead and put your two quotes back to back here… just for kicks:

“freetards are notoriously terrible at separating an argument from the person making it”

“Your audience is more retarded than you are.”

Oh.  Hey there Mr Pot.  Meet Mr Kettle.  Mr Pot! What did you just call Mr Kettle?  Well that’s… that’s a really weird thing for you to call Mr Kettle…

“5. It’s nice that you have nice balls. I still think I make better points. Also, I do it without wasting 30 minutes of peoples time by making them watch your inability to deal with xrandr.”

…

I need to start a quotes section of my blog.

“you have nice balls” – Linux Hater

“If you want to make some points, why don’t you write them on your lame blog. Then, if I feel so inclined, I’ll write some stuff on my lame blog. We will make it impossible for our readers to follow. Isn’t that how you freetards do it?”

When I want to make some points I do so on this blog here.  Or on the Linux Action Show.  Or I go on other podcasts.  Or I get up in front of people and talk at conferences.

All of which, it is worth pointing out, I do with my own name.

Why?  A few reasons:

1. I believe in the things I say.
2. I want to see things improve.  There is nothing to be gained, in this regard, by staying anonymous.
3. I am not a little girl throwing a temper tantrum.

The offer still stands.  If you’d like to man up and debate me face to face (or via video conference), I’ll do it on your terms (you can decide on the format, the ground rules, the time, etc.).

We can also do it on any of a wide variety of topics that relate to your little blog and my (vast array) of media outlets I contribute to.

How about a debate on how the format of your blog is either helpful or harmful to the Linux (and software in general) world?  Just an idea…

When I put together the “Linux Sucks” presentation… I knew I was asking for trouble.

I knew, without a doubt, that the title alone would bring the crazies out from under the stairs and they would go after me (and the Linux Action Show).

And, you know what?  I wanted that.

Why?  Because it helps to highlight many of the points I’ve been making.  And it helps give, even greater, exposure to a topic that needs a great deal of public discussion.

Surprisingly… the responses were fairly positive (or, at least, mostly civil and reasonable).

I’ve been almost disappointed!  Where were all the crazies!?  (And we all know exactly the type of person I’m talking about.)   (… okay…I haven’t actually been disappointed.  Where’s that <sarcasm> tag at…)

Luckily, our good friends over at Boycott Novell put on their crazy pants and showed up to the party with a nice little post titled:

Is Jupiter Broadcasting’s Linux Action Show Anti-GNU/Linux?

Awesome.

Yes.  Of course the Linux Action Show is anti Linux.  Obviously.  That’s why we’ve produced the largest Linux podcast in the world for almost 3 years now.  Because of how much hate we have for Linux.  (I really need to find that <sarcasm> tag soon…)

Obviously, Boycott Novell did this as an attempt to pull traffic.  I know that.  It’s an obvious troll-type post (hell, I’m pretty certain the writer didn’t even watch most of the video).

“But… Bryan… ” you might be asking, “Why give Boycott Novell, a website that wrote up an obvious toll story on you, any publicity and traffic?”

One main reason:

Boycott Novell has been a haven for crazy sounding posts far too often.  That is one website that makes us all look bad.  And I’m not exactly the type of person to byte my tongue.

Plus…

Sounds like fun.  (I may chalk this up under the “Seemed like a good idea at the time” category later…)

Of course they’re free to do and say what they like.  Just as any of us are free to go to their blog and use the phrase “poo poo head” in the comments section of the post in question.

I’m not saying any of you should go there and add a comment along the lines of “Boycott Novell are poo poo heads”… I’m just saying that doesn’t seem like a bad idea to me.  (Crud.  Where’s that <hinthint> tag… I need a tag organizer!)

UPDATE

New post over at Boycott Novell today:

“Linux Action Show” Dudes Censor Comments They Disagree with, Then Lie About It and Ask People to Troll Us

Love it.

In case you missed it, here is the video from today’s Coding With Bryan.

We’re going to try a new time for the next Coding With Bryan.  And also a new streaming service.

The next episode will be this Sundy (May 3rd) at 12:30 pm PST (aka “noon-thirty”).

You can watch it here at lunduke.com from the small video player in th upper right, or head over to http://www.mogulus.com/bryanlundukelive and get a bigger video and take part in the live chat.

So get your Skype sound check done, have som programming questions ready, and join us on Sunday!