User Feedback :: Soon to be in production environment



As the original poster, I'll admit it never crossed my mind that the name ofthe distro would be a problem.  Also, since it will be running headless, as a server,its not an issue.  However, I have since installed another copy as a dual boot, with deskop use in mind.  I like it. I am asking our Supernintendo to not dispose of the 15  or so pentium PC they were going to toss.  They can easily use them as internet appliances in our HS library.  I will just need to lock them down pretty good.  Its a good point though....maybe an Ed version? with a configurable name?
Quote (dslfool @ June 09 2004,10:30)
This is probably going to seem like a REALLY odd question, but for anyone out there introducing or using DSL in a public school setting, has there been an issue with the word "damn" in the name of the distro?

DSL could breathe new life into older PCs in the district, but I know sooner or later there'd be a parent (or even a teacher) objecting to the word "damn" on the splash screen. Silly, I know, but where kids are involved stuff like that can be a huge issue.

Has anyone run into this?


If you're implying it is going to be "damned" because it has "damn" in its name - then it could appropriately be called "damned small linux!" (or shortened to "damn small linux")  :laugh:

But seriously: AFAIK Damn can be used as a very mild curse/swear word but also in a complimentary way as in :- "he's a damn good golfer" etc.

Check American Heritage Dictionary for more info .........
http://www.bartleby.com/61/69/D0016900.html

Lastly, I note the concern and unease in several posts about potential reactions from teachers/parents. Could someone explain to us non-americans what the dilemma is? Does damn have a secret meaning in american schools?

Cheers
rob
Y'know, I'm having a hell of a time :) writing a response that's neither too long-winded re American standards vs. behavior nor too politically charged - I've scrapped my first four drafts.

Being neither a parent nor a school administrator I'll leave it to others to explain more fully, but my observation is that American schools tend to be very conservative regarding the language presented to children, particularly in the early grades. I'm not sure to what degree this is a factor, but I know there are conservative parents who would object to ANY "curse" words being used in a school, whether in a complementary context or not.

As an aside, I grew up in a (now abandoned) Christian belief system in which the word "damn" was to be used only in the context of an action of God. Since "damning" was the purview of God alone, it was considered presumptuous and and sinful for man to appropriate the word for any other useage and therefore the word was not considered only a mild curse. (There was much debate in my family whether I should be allowed to exclaim "Damn!" on stage in a production of "Oliver" when I was a teenager. I went ahead with the line and there was no lightning.)

Again, being neither a parent nor a school employee I have no stake in the matter other than to be in favor of spreading the benefits of Linux in general and DSL in particular. I DON'T think it's worth the effort to purge DSL of the word "damn", but knowing how American schools and parents are I've wondered for months if this has or would be an impediment to being adopted by a school.
There definitely shouldn't be an effort to purge "damn" from all versions of DSL, only for custom ones where for some reason or other it may be seen as prudent to do so.
Personally, I think half of the coolness of DSL is it's name! :p
Quote (monkymind @ June 10 2004,23:01)
Quote (dslfool @ June 09 2004,10:30)
This is probably going to seem like a REALLY odd question, but for anyone out there introducing or using DSL in a public school setting, has there been an issue with the word "damn" in the name of the distro?

DSL could breathe new life into older PCs in the district, but I know sooner or later there'd be a parent (or even a teacher) objecting to the word "damn" on the splash screen. Silly, I know, but where kids are involved stuff like that can be a huge issue.

Has anyone run into this?


If you're implying it is going to be "damned" because it has "damn" in its name - then it could appropriately be called "damned small linux!" (or shortened to "damn small linux")  :laugh:

But seriously: AFAIK Damn can be used as a very mild curse/swear word but also in a complimentary way as in :- "he's a damn good golfer" etc.

Check American Heritage Dictionary for more info .........
http://www.bartleby.com/61/69/D0016900.html

Lastly, I note the concern and unease in several posts about potential reactions from teachers/parents. Could someone explain to us non-americans what the dilemma is? Does damn have a secret meaning in american schools?

Cheers
rob

NO...its the touchy feely liberals indocrinating our kids that will have a problem with it...

Cant say the word "damn" in school but they teach about venerial deseases, gay lifestyles, and other things but cant say the word "damn"

I say leave it...if "damn" is the worse word your kids ever hear then they will have lived a good life, and if Damn Small Linux is the 1st OS they get thier hands on (before being corrupted by M$) then they will have lived a "damn" good life!

my $0.02

Brian
AwPhuch
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