Default Theme

[Neil Woolford]

At 16:56 13/10/04, you wrote:

> >
> > I have been using the system since the preview release, and have been happy
> > with it so far. However, I recently updated the system and saw changes 
> to the
> > default theme which leave me a little bit uncomfortable.
>
>Just to collect some votes, I agree to 100% Being able to explicitly
>select the new images is fine, but the previous gdm image would be
>better as a first impression.

I have to cast my hat in on the side of keeping the old default.

Especially as I'd just worked out for myself that the Ubuntu symbol was a 
stylised top view of three people of varied and mixed tones holding each 
other in a circle.  As a symbol it is exactly right for the intentions of 
the distro;  as a photo-realistic image it is a disaster for all the 
reasons people have mentioned.

The images don't offend me, but they certainly don't fit as default because 
they exclude potential users.  A lot of people live and work in cultures 
that do have a big problem with realistic representation of human 
bodies;  the images concerned would certainly count as pr0n in Saudi, and 
most 'corporate' environments would not favour them.

I'd say don't put them in any initial distribution at all;  imagine the 
problem you might have in an office in Saudi if you accidentally installed 
it...

Just so that I don't get accused of picking only on Muslim sensitivities, 
the lady from an American bible college wrote;

"I was considering using Ubuntu for deployment on public use machines in
our library.  The change in this theme makes this undeployable for me.
I don't think that I'm alone in my frustration with this decision.

I'd like to understand the logic behind this decision.

Casey Bredeson
I.T. Director
Trinity Bible College"

Note that she's one of the few identifiable female posters on this list...

In summary:  the original abstract artwork presents the Ubuntu philosophy 
in a subtle way that looks good;  a literal image brings many problems, and 
should probably be avoided.

Neil









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