Request: please consider clarifying the project's position on Spins

["Jóhann B. Guðmundsson"]

On 12/05/2010 01:40 AM, Máirín Duffy wrote:
> I posed a question in the last board meeting that I'll re-pose here:
>
> Are we, Fedora, in the business of:
>
> - #1 Showcasing all the various free software desktops available -
> making it easy to switch desktops

Amongst other things that's what I thought but can you explain to me why 
you draw your line at desktops?

Does not your view apply to other applications as well such as 
music/video players and various other programs?

> OR
>
> - #2 Building a coherent, usable operating system from selections of the
> best free software has to offer such that free software can reach a
> wider audience?
>

Why are you making the distinction of #1 and #2?

Are you implying here that KDE LXDE XFCE etc are not coherent solutions 
and these things cant coexists?

> I really care very passionately about #2, which is why I do silly things
> like volunteer with the Girl Scouts and teach them how to use Fedora. To
> my great dismay I've had people from clubhouse #1 tell me 14-year-old
> girls have no business using Linux. It's that kind of attitude that
> makes me feel we have to fight even harder for #2.

How does nr.1 tell 14 ( or people of all ages ) year old girls ( or boys 
) not to use Linux?

The only thing nr.1 does is allow them the freedom to choose which last 
time I check was part of one of our four foundation.

> What's the point of working on free software if it can't help the people
> who need it? The people who don't know what a DE is and really don't
> care as they'd rather spend their time writing their resume or creating
> new songs with Fedora?

Overall this is an very interesting perspective and differs quite a bit 
from mine.

I've notice through out all my life that people have a tendency to use 
what ever suits their need in all aspect of their life and in that also 
applies to IT.

People will always use whatever suits their needs not mine thus I do not 
try impose my needs nor do I try to speculate what their needs might be 
or force them to use something that they might not like nor do I not 
introduce them to all the alternatives that exist I always try to 
encourage them to explore as much as possible until they find the right 
tool the right solution that gets whatever they are after done in as 
much comfortable way for them so when people are seeking my advice 
regarding desktops I always tell them to try all the desktop solution we 
have to offer because at the end of the day I know that it is them that 
will be using that computer with that desktop everyday not me.

JBG