[Techtalk] Re: Linux Paper

[Alvin Goats]

The statement:

Kristen Grubb:

> Any bugs or holes in the program are usually sited shortly after it is  released, and often a patch is available within hours via the Internet.


The definition from Rudy L. Zijlstra (4: being prefered):

> According to Websters new collegiate dictionary, 1980:
> cited: Latin: citare - to put in motion, rouse, summon. 1: to call upon 
> officially or authoritatively to appear (as before a court) 2: to quote 
> by way of example, authority or proof. 3a: to refer to; esp: to mention 
> formally in commendation or praise 3b: to name in a citation 4: to bring 
> forward or call to another's attention esp. as an example, proof, or 
> precedent.


"Cited" is more appropropriate in the form as:

Any bugs or holes in the program are usually "brought forward and
attention is called to the bugs or holes" (cited)  shortly after it is 
released, and often a patch is available within hours via the Internet.

This was part of the "release often" approach where more users were able
to test the software and hence make it break under normal conditions.
Any bugs could be found, the problem BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF the
programmers (the problem "cited") and then fixed. :)


This should be compared to the closed source people who deny there are
any bugs or holes when issues are cited, then identify them as features,
then grudgingly accept them as bugs or holes and eventually, maybe,
fixes the issuses. ;) 


Alvin