Re: Down with Canonical - Boycott Ubuntu Spyware

Hi,


On 28 January 2013 11:33, Kathinka <[email protected]> wrote:

> Public art is created by people who are paid though not necessarily by
> those who respond to it: in the case of sculptures in Dunedin,
> ratepayers were not consulted about the proposed sculptures before
> artists were commissioned.


Well OK, so there's possibly a breach of trust between rate payers and the
city council. Since we all pay them money in the form of rates, I think you
have a valid reason to complain if you find these commissions in bad taste.

However, there's one large point of difference here - you're free to not
use Ubuntu. In fact, the default state is not using Ubuntu - you need to
download & install it (or buy a machine from a vendor that ships it) - it's
"opt-in". Public works of art are permanent and difficult to avoid (I guess
it depends on how they're displayed - I'm thinking of things like
statues.... you didn't specify which works of art you were referring to,
so...). Further, unless you choose to, you don't pay a cent for Ubuntu.


> Many people put "free" work out to the
> public as a route to gaining the credibility (reputation) that can
> lead to sales of their work, or to paid employment in their chosen
> field instead of trolley-dollying.
>
>
Sure, but the reputation gained is based on people liking the work. I'm not
sure you can claim "reputation gained" as a form of currency, thereby
creating an implied contract between the creator and observers. Otherwise
I'd be under an implied contract to be very tall for the rest of my life,
simply because I have become known for it.


> In my opinion they are best to meet criticism with reasons why it is
> not warranted.  Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't, which is why "if
> you can't say something nice don't say anything at all" is not the
> best policy if improvement is desirable.  Sometimes it isn't.  Refute
> with reasons excluding the "Ooh, you're so mean and our feelings are
> hurt" number.
>
>
There's a difference between "how best to help improve Ubuntu", and "how to
play nicely with others on a community mailing list". The answer to the
first has already been covered (report bugs, with with translations, loco
teams etc). The answer to the second involves "if you can't say something
nice don't say anything at all", as well as a number of other etiquette
rules.

It's worth noting that constructive criticism is a vital part of all
communities, including this one. A nice quote from the wikipedia page (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constructive_criticism):

"""
In an online <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online> forum lacking
face-to-face contact, constructive criticism can be easily
misinterpreted<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interpretation>and online
exchanges often spiral out of control, becoming
flamewars <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flaming>. Effective interpersonal
communication <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interpersonal_communication>skills
can be helpful to assess the recipient's frame
of mind <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindset>. During initial exchanges or
when encountering defensive individuals, effective criticism calls for
softer language and inclusion of positive comments. When the recipient
strongly identifies with contentious areas (such as
politics<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics>or
religion <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion>), non-offensive criticism
becomes challenging.
"""

Regards,

-- 
Thomi Richards

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