Re: Gnome 3 Extensions/Themes Website?

[John Stowers <john stowers lists gmail com>]

> 
> In terms of themes - the reason that themes belong on the extension
> website is:
> 
>  - They are using unsupported APIs
>  - They are hacks of the GNOME Shell experience and need messaging
>    as such
>  - They need to be automatically disabled when they are out of sync
>    with the GNOME Shell.
> 
> Can we declare that GNOME Shell doesn't have themes, and prevent people
> from posting screenshots of GNOME Shell with a modified theme or with a
> modified top panel? I don't see how to achieve that other than some
> draconian enforcement of the GNOME trademark that would be inconsistent
> with the principles of the GNOME project.

I think https://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=650971 is a pretty
good first attempt at preventing people from theming gnome-shell.

TBH I don't see a real difference, perhaps only of degree, in extensions
vs. themes both wrt. API compatibility and protecting the brand. 

That out of the way, I think a pragmatic approach (option 2) is
sensible, starting an arms race with extension authors is not going to
end well (technology and PR wise) so a sanctioned distribution system
where there is some measure of quality control is sensible compromise.

John