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Re: Ubuntu = Human-Centered OS?

 

On Monday, September 19, 2011 10:58:30 AM Randall Ross wrote:
> A while ago, I wrote a "WeMenu" spec that touched on this theme. Simply
> stated: Our desktop should reflect our ethos in an obvious way. Back
> when the spec was written, some mighty developers were interested in
> starting an implementation, but alas, Unity came along and required a
> ton of development effort. Now that we have Unity perhaps it is time to
> revisit.
> 
> In short, every OS seems to want to do the same thing (yes, even the
> free ones): Once a human has booted up and logged in they are whisked
> away to the farthest reaches of the web, or to a "large number company
> in Mountain View" to view ads and to shop. This is inconsistent with
> connecting with real humans in places where you can actually meet them
> and share. (i.e. your neighbourhood, town, city.)
> 
> Here is the start of a new spec: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/CommunityLens
> 
> We need to begin to use computer mediation to re-connect real people who
> really matter to us. I hope we can breathe new life into this idea and
> make it happen. Ubuntu's chance to really differentiate is staring us in
> the face.
> 
> Lest one thinks I'm a lone voice in this forest, please check out what
> Scott Heiferman Co-Founder & CEO of Meetup has to say on the topic of
> building community: http://meetupblog.meetup.com/2011/09/911-us.html
> 
> "Could we use the internet to get off the internet -- and grow local
> communities?" We sure can!

This is already a social desktop initiative, see 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Desktop

There's an open protocol for discovery and it does work for finding people near 
you.  We ship a desktop widget for this in Kubuntu, but it's meant to be a 
cross-platform service.

Scott K



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