Re: Apology and a "gesture of good faith" - please read on.

[Patrick Michael Niedzielski <patrickniedzielski gmail com>]

On sab, 2011-05-07 at 18:31 -0400, jordan wrote:
> Hi there,
> 
> About a week, maybe 2 ago - i got into a fairly heated argument with the
> gnome-shell developers over some design choices, etc .... we don't need to
> go into it, as i am not interested (and i am sure no one else on the list is
> interested) into getting into some flame war over differences of opinion.
> 
> Moving on.... i have been using Gnome 3 one one of my production machines
> for a week or so now.
> i am not reallly into the Gnome-shell experience (we don't need to kick that
> dead-horse) - But, I did make mistakes in how I approached this list and
> also gnome-developers...   I also could have been more constructive about
> how I approached my concerns in general, and should've "detatched" the
> developers from the new UI, and voiced my concerns more politely. I realize
> you have all been working very hard on Gnome-Shell, so i should have been
> more sensitive...for this i am truly sorry.
> 
> As a small gesture, that i hope you all take on good faith - I have fixed
> the gnome-Tweak-Tool "welcome logo" found here in the linux file-system:
> 
> /usr/share/gnome-tweak-tool/welcome.png
> 
> The original image had been created on a white background. but we live in a
> world of transparency, and so do our DEs. Not only that - but what initially
> brought this to my attention, was when i switched to a darker GTK3 theme. It
> became painfully obvious - so i fixed it, and am sharing it.
> 
> It looks far more professional, and now should match all global bg_colors,
> in your gtk3 theme (gtk.css).
> 
> i've attached the file, but also am posting a link to my original post in
> the Archlinux forums - as it has images to better show you all (if you
> didn't know already) how badly using the current logo looks, when not using
> the default Adwaita theme. here's my post;
> 
> https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=118490
> 
> I hope this in some small way, is appreciated by someone that i may have
> offended.  I would also like to take this time to tell you some things i
> love about gnome 3;
> 
> 1. gsettings, dconf.  we don't need to get into their specifications - but
> let me just say, wonderful technology. Reminds me of the windows registry a
> little (being binary and all), but powerful and well suited. love the lack
> of conxect-switching (unlike gconf) great idea  :)
> 
> 2. I love all of the system tools GUIs, whether we are talking about
> system-settings, gnome-tweak-tool or gnome-color-manager - they all look
> polished, and are easy to navigate. very usable and professional.
> 
> 3. I love GTK3 - CSS is great for themes, and easy to modify, whether it be
> your gtk-widget.css - easy to find the various sections for each type of
> widget....and all that one requires for modifying color-schemes in gtk.css
> is "gpick" and gedit. it'll be great when there is a GUI to modify themes,
> but until then - it's still pretty straight forware to do.
> 
> 4. Systemd - a great way to boot up, and manage services. I was already
> using Systemd before the G3 update, but it's worth mentioning.
> 
> 5. ICC profile management  - seems much more integrated in Gnome 3. And i
> can access my profiles and anything i might want to change from
> system-settings, similar to how i would access most system settings in
> MacOSX - which i like.  (i know gnome-color-manager isn't installed by
> default, and that it was around b4 gnome3, but it feels more integrated).
> 
> ****  I have one point of advice from a long time gnome-user, to the gnome
> developers;
> 
> 1. Re-brand "fallback-mode" as "gnome-lite", gnome-minimal" or maybe
> "gnome-agnostic". Do not drop support for it, in the near future, if ever.
> 
> - it would put many concerned users at ease, and prevent a lot of
> complaints, flamewars, etc.
> 
> - you would get to keep your user base who likely who may not adopt
> Gnome-shell, but have always preferred the tools and generally the
> experience that gnome has always provided.
> 
> -I am one of these people, and I know many more. I don't expect work to be
> done to make fallback like Gnome2 or as feature packed Gnome-shell - but I
> don't need too either - there are a ton of desktop-agnostic
> applications/tools that can provide that, in a seamless way.
> 
> -Fallback or Agnostic, as i call it - is a solid gnome 3 base to build upon
> as an alternative to Gnome-Shell for those who either;
> 
> A) have a particular need or desire for it, like an extremely lite-but fully
> functioning gnome-DE, would prefer to use Compiz, applications don't run
> well with GS, etc
> 
> or B) wish to integrate tools different than what Gnome-Shell itself
> provides - while still getting to keep the Gnome Desktop, and all of the
> wonderful software and tools that come with it.
> 
> I think it is really important to acknowledge these users, even if we are
> only a small percentage.
> Some People are going to love Gnome-Shell, but for the ones for whatever
> reason, whether it be of personal taste, or more practical reasons - who do
> not wish to adopt it - Lets not marginalize them,
> but instead embrace them...
> 
> As it turns out, the stock tools provided with Gnome3 are very powerful, and
> after a little hacking - i was able to fully remove gnome-panel, GDM,
> asstistive technologies and Pulseaudio from my desktop. (no errors in log
> files, no bugginess). I have a slim Gnome3 Desktop running just the way that
> me, as the person who is using it -  wants it.. :)
> 
> anyway, i hope this message is received warmly, and i am truly sorry for any
> disturbance, stress ,etc that i may have caused anyone on this list, or any
> of the gnome-developers themselves.  I hope you do consider this
> recommendation - both the fixed-image and embracing the idea of re-branding
> gnome-fallback and keeping it as a viable option for your users.
> 
> 
> thank you and take care,
> 
> Jordan
> _______________________________________________
> gnome-shell-list mailing list
> gnome-shell-list gnome org
> http://mail.gnome.org/mailman/listinfo/gnome-shell-list

Jordan,

This email embodies why I love Free/Open Source Software.  We can all
see eye to eye if we try, no matter if our opinions differ.  When we
don't, if we admit it (both parties), all can continue on.
Productively.

Thanks for your work, and the work of all the developers on the Shell,
GNOME, and all of FOSS software.  We can do some great stuff if we work
together.

Cheers,
Patrick

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