anonymouse

I would really prefer open source

... this does not compute. If you actually truly prefer open source, why are you using Windows?

Why are you disappointed? It was just a question out of curiosity. Nothing wrong with asking a question, this is a community centered around discussions, is it not? It's not Stack Overflow or something, where we follow a strict question-answer format.

It is hard for people to make transitions specially because they probably used Windows their own life. If they are asking for a FOSS firewall they most likely know they should transition to Linux at some point.

And that is just your assumption. What if they were only using Windows to play some games, but didn't realise that those games were now actually playable in Linux?

That's not quite the same. It's like ordering a small salad whilst having a Big Mac meal at McDonald's, and claiming that you prefer healthy food.

Surely you see the irony of the situation?

It's not an assumption that transitioning to (Proton on) Linux is hard with no prior knowledge.

The Proton thing was just an example. You do not know OP's circumstances. What if they were already tech-savvy?

OP doesn't owe you a question

And I don't owe OP an answer either.

Open Source software for Windows exists therefore it can be installed.

Just because something exists doesn't mean if should be installed. The question isn't about whether or not it can be installed. That's not the point at all.

Elitist much. Why would you rather assume that a tech-savvy person is asking for tech guidance than the infinitely more likely opposite case?

Assumptions much? The probably of which is higher is completely irrelevant, because it's just an assumption, and without OP confirming it, we can keep arguing till the end of the universe.

Your intentions may be benign but your methods are not.

Again, assumptions, with zero evidence.

I disagree that it was judgemental. Sure, it could've been written nicer, but there was no need to - it was just a simple question hinting at the irony of the situation, nothing more, nothing less. I didn't break any rules, and if I did, the mods are free to delete my comment. The fact that they didn't intervene - when they're famously known to rule with an iron fist - proves that your judgment of my comment coming as "very judgemental" is your own opinon.

First of all there's no rule that the very first comment to a question has to be an answer, and that it has to be helpful in that instance - there's always the chance that said helpful answer might come further down the chain - had OP replied to the comment.

Sometimes the best answers are born out of asking questions, because often the person asking the question may not be asking the right question (due to not stating all the details, or having incomplete knowledge, misconceptions etc). Regardless, it sparks a discussion, so I don't see the problem, as long as the discussion is taking place in a civil manner and no rules are being broken. Finally, even if the discussion chain that sparked wasn't helpful to OP, it could help someone else. Or at least entertain them. And those who can't be bothered, can always ignore the chain, or even block the person(s) in question. So regardless, I don't see this as a loss or a negative of any sort.

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Yes, I like to argue. But it takes two to tango. If you don't like to participate, just stop replying to me - as simple as that. :)

And please tell me, when was I ever evangelical in this comment thread/comment chain? Please quote the exact statement(s) I used that shows evidence I was trying to be evangelical in this chain.

If you do both (in succession I guess) you're just a parody of your own pro-FOSS message.

When did I do both? Please quote or link the exact messages as evidence.

You also keep associating the term "evangelical" with me, without citing any evidence.

Also, your privacy example isn't quite the same here, since you absolutely can have privacy with Windows - just block all Microsoft domains, use a decent firewall/PiHole/adblock/DNS etc. Or just soft air-gap Windows, allowing only selective traffic to pass thru a manually-configured per-app proxy gateway.

On the other hand, someone asking for FOSS apps and claiming they prefer FOSS, whilst still using Windows, is ironic.