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List:       kde-devel
Subject:    Re: Are we going to do anything about this?
From:       Simon Perreault <nomis80 () linuxquebec ! com>
Date:       2001-12-18 19:11:28
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On December 18, 2001 11:29 am, Andrew Sutton wrote:
> ah... a good philosphical debate :) promoting linux and promoting an
> application are two different things. although kde is tightly bound to
> linux it's not the same as linux. in fact, i no alot more people that
> associate GNOME with linux more than KDE - and that's mainly because of the
> tight cohesion between GNOME and GNU (probably because they both start with
> 'G' :)

Yes, it's indeed philosophical because I still don't agree. ;) I still think 
that right now, Linux promotion is paramount. KDE is the only serious choice 
if you use Linux in an enterprise environment. What stops KDE is not the 
merits of KDE itself, nor is it its lack of publicity. What stops it is 
Linux's acceptance as a serious desktop solution. I would be strongly in 
favor of a group promoting Linux as a desktop, but that already exists. KDE 
should be more involved in those groups rather than promoting itself alone. 
KDE as an "application" for Linux simply is not real right now. It is a part 
of Linux as much as Linux is a part of KDE. That will eventually change, but 
right now it is not so.

> besides, what if a future version of KDE becomes platform independent (i.e.
> runs on non-unixes) - something i wouldn't mind seeing. then what?
> suddenly, its not a linux byproduct any more. on a side note, this would be
> a significantly interesting project :)

This would be an incredible feat, and one I would heartily welcome. But one 
has to realize that many years can go by before this becomes reality.

> i agree with ian. we need some cheerleader or mascot to cheer the
> accomplishments and pride of KDE. it's an amazingly complex and technical
> system that actually works. there's no reason not to slap ourselves on the
> back for technical accomplishments. besides, having a figurehead person or
> group do this for us creates a contact point for corporations looking to
> find information about KDE, the technical direction its taking, some of the
> "flagship" products, etc...

I don't like figureheads because one simply can't speak for everyone. Some 
people think it's a matter of compromise, I think we don't have to 
compromise. KDE is not in it for money or market dominance, so everyone can 
have it its way. The KDE League plays the role of representing KDE for the 
enterprises, to give info and such. But I don't think a figurehead or more 
advocacy is necessary.

> you're right about competition though... but i think we're still in
> competition with microsoft too - maybe not on the same scale, but there's
> still competition.

Exactly. On that front, we are one with Linux itself. Advocacy for Linux is 
already taking place.

-- 
Simon Perreault  <nomis80@linuxquebec.com>
Web: http://www.linuxquebec.com/~nomis80
PGP: $Web/nomis80.gpg
 
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