Community response of new ubuntu artwork

[misGnomer]

[quote:df1928d12c="kjkrum at comcast.net"]On Sun, 17 Oct 2004 07:59:08 -0400

I'm vexed that so many defenders of this artwork keep characterising its
opponents as prudes.  What you don't seem to understand is that
professionalism does not involve a moral judgment.  It's simply a
protocol.  Any geek should understand the importance of following
protocols...

Krum

--
ubuntu-users mailing list[/quote:df1928d12c]

I believe that is explained with the fact that the opponents of the human artwork have used both moralistic and "corporate conformance" arguments.

Prudishness is in the eye of the beholder.

I don't see even slightest hint of nudity or sexuality in this artsy image. To me it celebrates the essence of Linux; humans hand in hand with no artificial conflicts. Instead of wearing some ethnic costumes or western-style office outfits, these people just wear the basic items every person on the planet is familiar with.

I found it very surprising that a person from the so-called western culture would find the artwork sexually suggestive; I mean, how does one watch TV and read mainstream magazines without being constantly aroused if that is the case?   :P 

But fair enough, having lived and travelled extensively in many faraway lands I'm somewhat familiar with many non-western cultures and in some of them this artwork wouldn't be their first choice and in others people would (at least publically) frown upon it.

With GNOME having great emphasis towards internationalization ("i18n") and flexible support for practically all scripts, soon enough all languages from Arabic to Tibetan are covered. Although the current single-CD distribution can't conceivably ship with support for all languages and scripts, it would be nice if versions with alternative language sets were made available in the future. When that happens, I fully understand if certain existing cultural sensitivities call for the sensationally bare shoulders to be covered and simply replaced by the nice rounded triangle logo (although that, too just might carry some unwelcome connotations in some far corner of the earth).

Still, I'd hope that the original human artwork would remain as a configuration option or at minimum as a downloadable "decadently liberal afro-western art-pack".   :wink: 

This has been somewhat of a storm in a teacup, but all publicity is good publicity and it's been a great introduction to a lively debate which is part of every community.

I like the artwork, but since Ubuntu is all about *inclusion* we should all be willing to compromise. The Ubuntu graphic is nice indeed and makes for a fine login graphic or wallpaper while the fine human artwork deserves to remain a configuration option only a click away.

For the prudish (heh heh) corporate and educational environments there should really be a separate and configurable installation image anyway, where some options are locked while other features are added according to their specific needs. EDUbuntu & WorkUbuntu? Even something along the lines of Linux Terminal Server Project as an alternative to standalone installations?

PS. It's great that people feel strongly enough to argue for getting (Ubuntu) Linux into schools and offices. Regardless of moral or taste judgements wrt. artwork, I truly respect and appreciate that.

Regards,

misGnomer