Ubuntu Wiki

The foundation consists of the considerations at the very core of the project. It's the starting point and what everything else will build on.

Briefing

Within in the long-term goal of achieving an optimal presentation for the Ubuntu GNU/Linux Distribution:

Create and deliver an optimal theme for each release, starting with Jaunty Jackalope. Where optimal means: made to the project participants best ability within a release cycle, with the aim to further the goals of Ubuntu.

Optionally: create additional themes to meet the needs of other or more specific audiences or specific uses.

Imperative characteristics of the optimal theme

• The optimal theme must further, or at least be in line with, the goals of Ubuntu.
• It has to maximize usability. Usability shall be the combination of effectiveness, efficiency and user satisfaction in a specific context. Here the context is all tasks directly affected by the theme, executed by users of Ubuntu.
• Every part of it has to be designed to our best knowledge and ability. There's no space for random decisions.
• People, knowledge, technology and culture change. The optimal theme must march ahead or follow. It requires constant renewal.

Goals of Ubuntu

• To offer a free (in both the economic and FSF sense), sustainable platform for commodity requirements with optional commercial support

• To act according to the following ideals (from http://www.ubuntu.com/community/ubuntustory/philosophy):

  1. Every computer user should have the freedom to download, run, copy, distribute, study, share, change and improve their software for any purpose, without paying licensing fees.
  2. Every computer user should be able to use their software in the language of their choice.
  3. Every computer user should be given every opportunity to use software, even if they work under a disability.

• Have free software break into Microsoft's majority market share (Bug #1)

• Improve the overall usability of free software within Ubuntu. Surpass Apple in the quality of the user experience. (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/07/23/shuttleworth_apple_challenge/, http://www.markshuttleworth.com/archives/162)

Consequences for the theme:

• Use a free software theme engine
• Only use fonts and graphics with free licenses
• Avoid fixed text, e.g. as part of wallpapers
• Take users with less than perfect motor skills and sight into account. However, users of average ability must not be made to suffer from the consequences of the needs of the impaired.
• The theme must support the notion that Ubuntu is a viable alternative to Windows. It must help in attracting more users.
• Aim at improving the user experience under combined functional and aesthetic aspects. Beyond the obvious, this should be an invitation to think a little farther than the currently possible.

Key aspects of Ubuntu

• Ubuntu is an African word that can be roughly translated as 'Humanity to others', or 'I am what I am because of who we all are'. Read more about it at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubuntu_(philosophy)

• A strong, friendly and involved community
• A benevolent dictator for setting direction and making difficult decisions
• Some emphasis on translations
• Strong infrastructure (Launchpad)
• A history of brown and orange in themes

The consequences for the theme are obvious topics to pick up:

• Africa
• The word Ubuntu and its meaning
• Community, collaboration, support and sharing
• Unity, willpower
• All around the world
• Handling the heritage of brown and orange