Critique on Idea, not really this site layout...

[AV1611]

I had this idea for a site.  I'm not really looking for a critique on the design so much as the idea.  I am just using Drupal with a theme.

 

The site is targeted at the GNU/Linux novice... specifically the Christian Homeschoolers, and the like.  It is meant to be an eclectic help site, combining Blog entries, articles, links and a forum to post questions on how to use linux.  The target may include people who didn't realize that Linux didn't even exist.  I have written a few articles for effect.

 

Thanks for any input.

 

//EDIT:

 

As is my custom, I forgot the link

http://TranquilPenguin.com

[Ninjakreborn]

* I really like the domain name.  It's unique.

* I like the layout, very nice.

* Blog seems to be well setup/structured.

The overall idea behind the site is pretty good as well.

[448191]

You advertise as targeting Christians. What does learning to use Linux have to do with spirituality? You dislike non-believers eating your bandwidth? It says in the bible to use KDE, not Gnome?

 

I like the Linux part of the idea, but why limit your target audience to Christians?

[AV1611]

Because of the very tone that your post takes. 

 

You dislike non-believers eating your bandwidth?

 

If that is all you can glean from the site, then you answer you own question.  That is an absurdity, and discredits the very nature of the forum on which it is posted. 

 

There are some that won't use Linux because they are used to "old fashioned" courtesies, whereas the "perceptions" of many Linux users is that of a "Jolt cola guzzling Hacker". 

 

I know that this is unfair, but it's truly how some view Linux users. 

 

I want to target someone who is timid, socially.  I want it to a level that even the most novice user can find a use and be inspired by the OS that has inspired me to reach great heights of achievement. 

 

There is no anti-heathen rhetoric as you imply, nor does one have to be a "Christian" to find the site useful.  I simply wanted to create an environment what a "Christian" would not feel alienated.   

 

It says in the bible to use KDE, not Gnome?

If you read the articles, I think you will find that I suggest that the transition from windows to KDE is easier that windows to Gnome.  That was certainly true in my case.  I do not bash Gnome at all.  I want them to string together a series of small victories, thus creating another Linux Convert. 

[pocobueno1388]

I will have to agree with 448191. I don't see why you would direct your site towards christians. I understand that anyone can get use out of it, but there isn't much of a point doing the whole christian thing.

[448191]

Because of the very tone that your post takes. 

 

If that upsets you, wait until you read the rest of this post. While it is not my intention, I'm pretty sure you will be offended.

 

That is an absurdity,

 

And that is exactly how it was intended: as an absurdity. Don't read to much into it.

 

and discredits the very nature of the forum on which it is posted.

 

I don't see how.

 

There are some that won't use Linux because they are used to "old fashioned" courtesies, whereas the "perceptions" of many Linux users is that of a "Jolt cola guzzling Hacker".

 

There ARE! However, this is not by far a characteristic exclusive to Christians, thus not an argument to explicitly target Christians.

 

that has inspired me to reach great heights of achievement.

 

Wow. Can you spell 'narcissism'?

 

There is no anti-heathen rhetoric as you imply,

 

I wasn't implying that, I'm merely questioning why you would explicitly target a religious audience for a non-religious subject. Funny you should use the term "heathen" though. I should be insulted, probably. 

 

I simply wanted to create an environment what a "Christian" would not feel alienated.

 

I'm pretty sure you can do that without alienating non-Christians (and "for the Christian" effectively does that). If not, Christians, Jews, Muslims, atheists and whatnot would need their own Google, Wikipedia, eBay, Amazon AND phpfreaks.com. Pretty silly...

 

It says in the bible to use KDE, not Gnome?

If you read the articles, I think you will find that I suggest that the transition from windows to KDE is easier that windows to Gnome.  That was certainly true in my case.  I do not bash Gnome at all.  I want them to string together a series of small victories, thus creating another Linux Convert. 

 

I can't believe you're actually responding to that. I don't read the bible, but I'm pretty sure it has no mention of KDE or Gnome. It was just a remark intended to stress that the two topics are not related. Btw, since when is 'convert' spelled with a capital C? Would I be right to assume you also go by peoples doors to coerce your beliefs upon them?

 

So no, I don't like the idea of combining computing and religious topics. I think it's silly and a bad idea which reminds me of the first half of the Dutch 20th century, when every social group (Protestant, Catholic, socialist, liberal) had their own schools, stores, newspapers, unions, and probably their own chess clubs and happy hour at the early 20th century version of a strip club. It's just a vague reminiscence, direct comparison is a leap to far. But still, really, Linux has nothing to do with Christianity or vice versa.

 

I'll admit that I myself have strong beliefs, one of which says religious issues must be contained to directly relevant situations. This prevents people isolating themselves from their fellow man whom does not share those beliefs. I also believe not enforcing this separation can lead to dangerous, self-destructing results, if the scale is big enough.

 

The bottom line is that you asked for critique on the idea. I gave you as much. I'll stress that I'm not trying to step on your sixth toe, insulting or mocking your beliefs. I'll restrict my mocking to your actions, not your beliefs. If you only want positive replies, don't ask for critique.

 

I may put in a proposal for phpfreaks.com to advertise with "PHP help for the atheist" though. Just to make sure that atheists like myself aren't alienated. 

 

You know what else: writing this post, I realized that this forum is not the place for religious or political discussions. They tend to get heated, and really: PHP has nothing to do with religion or politics. I'm tempted to delete the body of this post, but since I was already stupid enough to go along with this thread, I might as well properly reply.

 

So please, in future do not ask for critique on an idea involving religion or politics. If you want critique on the design, by all means, but don't start threads like this.