Default Theme

[Richard Shortland]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tyler Willingham" <tyler-ubuntu at willowsys.com>
To: <ubuntu-users at lists.ubuntu.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 13, 2004 3:07 PM
Subject: Default Theme


> Greetings,
>
> I have been using ubuntu for a while now, and have been extremely 
> impressed
> with it's well thought-out design and feel.
>
> 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. I was going to 
> setup
> my in-law's computer with this, and they, like me, are conservative and 
> seek
> out those things that choose modest attire. I was surprised to see the new
> default theme which does not hold to these ideals. I know I can change the
> theme, but I am uncomfortable with the idea that this is the first thing I 
> am
> presented with. There are many others, I would imagine, who would seem to
> agree with me.
>
> Basically, I was wondering if there is a chance that there be a bit more
> conservative theme by default for the first release?
>
> Thank you for your consideration

Brett Kirksey wrote:

>Whether you or I like it or not, there are entire cultures that
>believe women should remain covered almost entirely (ever been
>to Egypt, Saudi Arabia, etc.?). That is probably where you will
>find a big problem.

Hi my name is Paula,
Me and Richard have been following this and I wanted to give you my two 
pence/ two cents worth.
The first thing I will say is that I am a mother and I work for a film 
production company and I have a say in the software that we use.
Now you know a bit about where I am coming from with this opinion I will 
start. I love the new look to the default theme I think that it is inventive 
and clever and some beautifully taken pictures. ( All thought I would have 
used an Asian in it instead of two white people. ) If anything it is not 
multi-cultured enough. I also read the what seems to be the pre-runner to 
this, erotic wallpaper. I think the idea of kids for the screen would be 
good to but if you did it that way you would be better using boys and girls 
all dressed the same and holding hands.  I also think that it is better than 
the plain and quite frankly boring theme before. I also have no problem with 
my daughter seeing and using it. ( She does like the picture, She said it is 
pretty. Well she is only three. ) As I want her to be proud of her body and 
not ashamed of it.

But now I come to the business side, I would use this at work and all the 
guys would love it. ( maybe a bit too much, they might not get much work 
done. Ha Ha. ) but I think that is more because the girls are pretty. I 
don't think that it is an erotic wallpaper. but the strong point has been 
made about how this would be viewed in different cultures and to be honest I 
thing that while individually will like and accept the pictures they will 
not say that to their peers and that is where the problem will be because 
people will want to be seen as true to their culture and so you will find 
people will not what to use it for those sort of reasons.

As a marketing ploy I think that this is not quite up there with Benetton 
but you all seem to think it is but really it is very mild. But at the end 
of the day as you the users have not liked the idea then maybe it should be 
re thought and changed, Maybe to kids, but please not the boring look you 
have before I have now seen that you can do better so please keep going, and 
keep this theme as an option for the people who do like it.

Hope that this gives you all something to think about.

Paula