Does Santa Hate Linux? 271
beernutmark writes "Well, it looks like Santa or at least Norad/Google hates Linux. This year, for the first time since its inception, Norad is not making a simple .kml file available for download to track Santa. You must connect to their website with a Windows/Mac browser and use the browser plugin. No full-screen Google Earth to look at the beautiful areas around Santa's path. (Anyone have any open source source kml files for tracking Santa or any idea how we can go about making one for 2010?)"
Re:Yes. (Score:5, Interesting)
Actually, Linux would be related closer to "pagan" or polytheistic religions. We believe in multiple gods (software authors), although there is a high deity (Linus) who created the universe (Linux) where the rest reside. Some of the other deities work not only in his universe, but in others as well (other *nix's, and even Windows).
The gods are kind and benevolent. Not only do they bestow their gifts upon us (software), but they show us the way (source) so we can ascend to their level.
Not only do they welcome ascension, but the know that no being, god or mortal, is without flaw. They listen when we say there is a problem (bug report) and accept our suggestions (patches) to make the universe better.
Praise be to the gods and goddesses.
And to you, on the cusp of the celebration of the Winter Solstice, I wish you and yours the best. May we help educate the nonbelievers (monotheistic computer followers) into seeing the light (the world which is *nix).
Re:For once, I'm fine with being locked out... (Score:4, Interesting)
None of your precious tax money is being used for this. Santa is also not a Christian symbol at all anymore, but is really the symbol of the secular Christmas. Most people in the West who are not Jewish celebrate Christmas, with or without the religious part. Hell, Santa is huge in Japan, and they have very few Christians there. There was a story on CNN earlier today about how Santa is used there as a symbol to celebrate the New Year, and they're primarily Muslims.
I'm sorry you had a bunch of crappy Christmases as a child, but there's no need to take it out on everyone else.
Re:For once, I'm fine with being locked out... (Score:3, Interesting)
Actually many jewish people celebrate the holiday as well. Just it's not a religious holiday in any way for them any more than it is for atheists like me. It's become a general purpose holiday of giving that is often divorced from its original religious roots.
Re:For once, I'm fine with being locked out... (Score:3, Interesting)
Tracking Santa? Credibility? Wow. Just wow.
Your "secular xmas" is an invention of pure greed devised consciously to exploit and manipulate people into spending money they dont have to raise the bottom line for wealthy commercial interests.
No one said you had to participate. Isn't freedom great?
I am sorry you were raised so immersed in a culture of lies that you dont even understand that lying to children is evil, but no need to take it out on everyone else.
Seek professional help. Please. While I respect your right to not celebrate holidays you consider groundless I think to insist that this is a "culture of lies" is taking it to the extremes a bit. Or do you rant about a "culture of lies" when someone is superstitious about Friday the 13th or dresses up at Halloween?
I personally am not a holiday person but if that's what it takes to help get someone through the day I'd say it's relatively harmless.
Re:For once, I'm fine with being locked out... (Score:1, Interesting)
Okay, we get it. You don't like what Christmas has turned into. All the commercialism, materialism, etc. Does that mean you don't support the idea of Christmas fun, happiness, and well-being. Hate the media for what they've done to Christmas, but that shouldn't stop you from enjoying what it should be about, goodwill.
See those other people over there? Yes, those one standing over there that you know and see and talk to all the time. Take Christmas as a reminder to show them a little good will. Congratulations! You've celebrated the spirit of Christmas.
Also regarding the culture of lies and stuff. All things considered, I think there are some other lies in this world that could be judged to be way worse than this one. So don't just get on your soap box this time of year and rant about it, talk or do something about all the other the rest of the year too.
Re:Yes. (Score:3, Interesting)
Yes, that's why it's actually been 9 years since .kml files were available
OMG this explains it. (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Arker, you're a scrooge. (Score:4, Interesting)
In 1956, a Colorado Springs-based Sears store ran an advertisement encouraging people to call Santa Claus on a special kind of telephone hotline. Due to a printing error, the phone number that was printed was the hotline that was actually for Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD). Then-Colonel Harry Shoup received the first call on Christmas Eve of 1955, from a six-year old boy who began reciting his Christmas list. Shoup then didn't find the call funny, but after asking the mother of the second caller what was happening, then realizing the mistake that had occurred, he told his staff to give Santa's position to any child who called in. Three years on, the government of the United States and Canada combined their respective national domestic air defenses into the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), but the tradition continued. Now major media outlets as well as children call in to inquire on Santa's location. NORAD relies on volunteers to help make Santa tracking possible. Many employees at Cheyenne Mountain and Peterson Air Force Base spend part of their Christmas Eve with their families and friends at NORAD's Santa Tracking Operations Center, in order to answer phones and provide Santa updates to thousands of callers. In 1997, Canadian Major Jamie Robertson took over the program and expanded it to the Web, where corporation-donated services have given the tradition global accessibility.