wiki.ubuntu.com/WhyIDontUbuntu

[Matt Zimmerman]

On Sat, Sep 10, 2005 at 12:00:46PM -0400, arjaybe wrote:

> Find something useful to do.

Helping to identify issues which make Ubuntu unsuitable for some users, and
working to help fix them, is useful.  If properly maintained, a resource
like this helps draw attention to important problems.  It seems clear to me
that the purpose of this resource is to help improve Ubuntu, and there is no
reason to attack its creator.

There are limits, of course.  It does little good to tell Ubuntu developers
about things like:

- RestrictedFormats
- Proprietary software
- Proprietary hardware

Such issues are fundamentally unsolvable within the context of Ubuntu,
either because they are beyond our control, or conflict with the core values
of the project.  Of course, if the Ubuntu community can mobilize enough
users to voice their feelings to the organizations which do control them,
that, too, is useful.

For example, if a particular device is unsupported in Ubuntu because its
manufacturer refuses to cooperate, it is useful to provide contact
information so that affected users let the vendor know that they want to use
the device with Ubuntu.  This is part of the proposed ProprietaryDrivers
project:

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/ProprietaryDrivers

which is currently lacking momentum and would benefit from an active
community volunteer leader.

-- 
 - mdz