Evangelists damage technology credibility

Technology is one area where fierce supporters of applications and services seem to be very common. Some companies employ people as evangelists to promote products or some cases people are so passionate about a product or service they will evangelise just for their love of it.

I’ve no problem with people being passionate about things but I really believe that some people are actually damaging the very things they love so much.

It’s all very well following a technology and being enthusiastic about it but there are still lines that shouldn’t be crossed. Without a solid argument about why you are so pleased with the said item just isn’t going to cut it with the people who aren’t as appreciative as yourself. Saying it’s cool just isn’t enough for most people.

Also even with the enthusiasm you have you must not be blinkered but instead be balanced with your arguments. Again saying it’s just better in every way than the competition just doesn’t sound convincing unless you have plenty to back it up. If you actually give credit where it’s due to the competition you can actually make your own argument stronger.

And finally personal attacks are just right out - they just make you look stupid.

This is not to say that all followers don’t follow these rules, on the whole they do, but there seems to be a small minded percentage of evangelists (or is that zealots?) who really give a bad impression.

There are two groups that are particularly vocal and also seem to have a hardcore of extremely vocal, and in my eyes, damaging fans. I’m of course talking about supporters of Open Source software and Apple products.

I’ve personally had a few run-ins with Apple fanboys in the past not least on a previous blog post (although I must admit I did bait them to see the reaction). You expect the odd idiot (there are enough online anyway) but the regularity that they appear when anything even slightly negative about Apple is published has clouded my judgement when it comes to anything Apple (The comments approved on the blog post show some of the better fans). I know damn well that some will comment stating I’m a fool and Apple don’t need my business anyway but I know I’m not the only one that has this reaction. Surely if you love the product so much you want to talk everyone around to your way of thinking? If the product is so good you should be able to argue the merits?

In the end this extreme reaction is actually damaging to Apple, the Apple brand and community and sometimes I wonder if these people just want to keep Apple as an exclusive club or maybe just don’t have the skills to have a discussion. I’d be interested to hear from any Apple fans on their opinion of the fanboys. Is there any split in the community or is it just ignored?

The Open Source movement also has some strong proponents and again some blinkered ones (although generally I’ve found most to be just interested in furthering the cause). If you take a look at Slashdot and wait for anything related to propeiety software (in particular Microsoft) you’ll see a load of people slagging it off without any real reason - just see the insults fly! I’m subscribed to the Slashdot feed but I never even look at the comments anymore as I don’t enjoy adolescent slagging matches.

I use Open Source software where I believe there is an advantage but I don’t believe all companies or individuals should have to tie their colours to one mast. People should respect everyone’s choice even if their views differ. Generally speaking there is an Open Source version of an application but not all are superior to their proprietary counterparts.

The only solution I can see is the communities to these loose cannons claim to be part of push them out themselves. Surely it must get on your nerves too? It makes people tar you with the same brush?