Again there was quite some feedback on the strategy doc. We have worked to shorten the document - a difficult thing with something which is the result of many thoughts and ideas. We tried to bring the piece on our target users back to it’s essentials and now have a short and a long version - input on what to do with either of those is very much welcome. In the other area’s, shortening was even harder - we appreciate input there as well. The plan is to do this one last round of feedback before we will try and finish it all off at the openSUSE conference next week.
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So if you’ve held back, have not had a look at this yet - now or never! Provide your input on the draft on co-ment and help shape our description of what being a Geeko means to us all. Yes, this will hopefully describe ourselves - where we stand, but also add a bit of pepper and salt and show our ambitions. Our strategy document has to be inclusive - but not too long. It has to show some ambition - but must also be realistic.
Please note that the stuff under ‘background’ is - well, background. The first 3 parts (target users; what openSUSE offers; and what do we not focus on) are our future self-description! Those are the arguments you have when talking to others about openSUSE - make sure they are convincing and true.
So, again, go to co-mentand help shape our future!
The phrase, “stability and flexibility” is great. I think that sums up why I use openSuSE: I have work to do and I want to do it my way. This means I need something that works without hours of tweaking to get it to do what I need, but I like to be able to do that some.
I agree that “Linux for Grown Ups” is a bad catchphrase. I think I get what it intends, which is a sign that we’re all getting on the same page and finding ourselves, but I don’t think people outside the community will understand it at all. (Now for some active listening.) What I hear you saying is: it is NOT gimmicky, NOT over-simplified at the cost of flexibility and choice, and NOT Ubuntu (which has the reputation of being for n00bs). I think openSuSE is noob friendly, but I also get that we want to avoid the negative backspin of that. I hear you saying that openSuSE is interested in providing the tools that GET THINGS DONE! Productivity, not inactivity.
It is Linux for Prime Time, not spare time.
It is Linux for play AND work.
I like openSuSE because it is balanced. It isn’t JUST for offices, but it is good for the office. It isn’t just for development work, but it is good for that, too. It isn’t just bleeding edge fluff, but you can do that if you want. Balance.
Even the new development cycle reflects this attitude, I think. We don’t want to be Debian, for which you pay for stability with an indefinite release schedule (and ancient apps), and we don’t want to be Ubuntu with on-time releases that feel like alphas. Balance.
I think you guys did a great job, as I read the document and can say, “Yes, these are MY words, too.”
