Re: Down with Canonical - Boycott Ubuntu Spyware

Fair call, Thomi.

But remember that people have very different styles of communication
in person as well as online.  Local example away from comp community -
Lee Vandervis.  He is (one version) rude, abrasive, tactless,
insensitive, or (another view) straight-talking, fearless in stating
issues outright instead of keeping tactful silence, more committed to
the future of Dunedin than to the tender feelings of a few of today's
decision-makers.

I spent a lot of time with the gay (95% male) crowd, including drag
queens, pre-homosexual law reform.  Their communication style would
make Lee look like a big girl's blouse.  I like Lee, and I thoroughly
enjoyed the robustness of the rambunctious gay guys, it suited my
temperament.  "Harden up girl" was an expression used.  Good advice -
outside the group, in the wide world they faced far worse and not just
words.

Other people come from other backgrounds where expression is hard, or
gentle.  The meek may indeed inherit the earth but I wouldn't bet on
it happening this year.

Kathinka

On 28 January 2013 12:47, Thomi Richards <[email protected]> wrote:
> 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 forum lacking face-to-face contact, constructive criticism can
> be easily misinterpreted and online exchanges often spiral out of control,
> becoming flamewars. Effective interpersonal communication skills can be
> helpful to assess the recipient's frame of mind. 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 or religion),
> non-offensive criticism becomes challenging.
> """
>
> Regards,
>
> --
> Thomi Richards



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