The Elitism Problem Killing Open Source Communities

Hey everyone! Wanted to share something that's been bugging me about our open source communities lately. The Problem: You know that moment when someone escapes big tech, tries Linux or other FOSS alternatives, asks a simple question in forums, and gets hit with "RTFM" or "let me Google that for you"? That's the elitism I'm talking about. My Wake-Up Call: Recently tried Fedora 42, had some gaming issues (Secret World Legends was a slideshow, Marvel Rivals wouldn't work), so I posted "Linux gaming is almost there." Got called a "Microsoft shill" by some troll who apparently patrols social media telling people with Linux problems to "go back to Windows." Here's someone claiming to love Linux while actively pushing newcomers away. Make it make sense. The Real Impact: This vocal minority is gatekeeping who they think "deserves" to use Linux/FOSS. But here's the thing: open source is for EVERYONE. If we want more passionate contributors making these projects better, we need to stop the elitist attitude. What Good Communities Do: The best helpers are like gardening mentors: "Here are seeds and tools. You'll make mistakes, that's fine. We've got your back, but we won't plant your garden for you." Gaming Reality Check: Yes, some games don't work on Linux (thanks kernel-level anti-cheat), but that's publisher decisions, not Linux failures. Steam Deck and Proton have made huge progress, but we can't play Fortnite or Valorant. That's just reality. Moving Forward: We need to understand average users better. Stop the "everyone knows that" mentality. Put yourself in newcomers' shoes. Your perfect install experience isn't everyone's experience. Bottom Line: The door to open source should actually be welcoming, not just technically open. We're betraying FOSS principles when we create barriers through elitism. What's your experience? Encountered gatekeepers or found welcoming communities? Let's discuss how we make open source truly open for everyone.