Re-imagining

[Randall Ross]

On 13-04-08 07:07 AM, Ralph Janke <txwikinger at ubuntu.com> wrote:
>
> It would be very unfortunate to replace one Windows with another one. The idea
> of the FLOSS movement is not to replace Microsoft with a more tame Open Source
> version, which still eliminates choices for the user.
Let's not introduce this false dilemma. We are in no danger of an Ubuntu
monopoly.
>
>
> More choices does not have to mean, more complicated. While I personally have
> never tried Mint, what I am hearing, it seems they are focus on the original goal
> by the *buntu community (at least as it was often stated) to create a Linux 
> distribution that is easy to use.
There is an implication that Ubuntu's goal has changed. If anything it
has become more prominently declared: Ubuntu is for everyone, regardless
of their knowledge of technology.
>
>
>
> In this context, I would really like to see the DVD being mastered in a way
> that allows the user to choose between different desktops. While it can 
> be debated for infinity which desktop is the best, neither of them fits
> with everybody's requirements, and hence the choice is additive, not divisive.
Most people that would enjoy Ubuntu (i.e. those still on the other side
of the chasm) do not know or care what a DE is. If we suddenly got
everybody who is not currently aware of Ubuntu (especially those who
struggle with basic computing tasks) on "standard" Ubuntu and let them
learn it for a year, then perhaps we could come back with some science
and make smarter choices about defaults that make even the most
difficult tasks simple. Right now the best data we have is what we have
gathered is limited (from focus groups and community feedback.) Throwing
a dozen DE's and variants at a person new to this Ubuntu world is not a
kind way to introduce them to it. It's confusing.
>
> A good role I could LoCo see to take on is to create an environment to bounce
> around ideas. I believe collaboration is the big social part of Open Source, not
> only Ubuntinis. It would be great if you could make strides in this regard. 
I sense an implication that Ubuntu Vancouver (inventor of the Ubuntini)
is about "only Ubuntinis". If that is indeed the implication, then that
is not only a comment that is sadly insensitive to the dozens of
volunteers who make our group special, but also highly inaccurate. I
can't recall ever seeing you at an Ubuntu Vancouver event, and I have
been to over 130 of them so I'm curious why you'd make this apparent
false assumption.

I will add that collaboration can and does take many forms, and the
product of collaboration needn't be code. Ubuntu groups in cities and
towns everywhere should think outside the (code) box to see where
there's local a gap in Ubuntu, and fill that gap. In our case, the gap
was that 99% of people in our city had never heard of Ubuntu, and if
they had, they weren't using it, and if they were they weren't aware
that they could meet other people and help make it more fun and more useful.

We (UVLC) are making good progress spreading Ubuntu in our city and
around the world. And if that requires that we occasionally raise an
Ubuntini and toast the success of the Ubuntu project and philosophy, and
if some people find that offensive or wish to mock or belittle us, then
that's unfortunate. We will not stop though. Nor will we make any
apologies for having fun while doing it.
>
> Ralph
Randall,
Ubuntu Vancouver Buzz Generator


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