The source project of this merge request has been removed.
Debian Microflyer
I'd like to produce a summarised, smaller version of the Debian flyer that can fit six or so times on a single sheet of A4 paper with minimal printer ink requirements, making it more cost effective to print and distribute.
This branch includes a draft attempt to do that, although there are a number of todo items and limitations at the moment:
-
The content is not yet small enough to fit six times on an A4 page. -
Unlike the original flyer, there isn't yet support for translations (I'd like help for this, but volunteer time is valuable so it may take some time - also, it could be worth me collecting feedback on how effective-or-not the flyer is before people spend time on it). -
Additional (optional) colour could make this microflyer more visually appealing. It mustn't be distractingly visually noisy: it shouldn't grab people's attention from other things they are reading or looking at, but it could perhaps be less drab than it currently is. -
Providing some indication of where the QR code is going to link to, and that it will open an HTML page in a web browser could be reassuring for some people. -
I have a vague notion that some people might criticise or be worried about the fact that Debian could run 'temporarily' from a USB stick on a computer. Does that mean that it could be used to copy content from a computer? It does, and in fact that can be a very useful ability in many circumstances. But people can also create worry and fear about that type of ability. There are other defenses against this such as "well, that is true for most operating systems", or "it's the fault of the people who misuse a system, not the software that provides the ability", or "if someone enters a building in real life then they are able to see what is inside it". I think that genuine misuse of abilities and intentional misrepresentation of computing technology are probably more important to detect and address than not stating correctly what is an ability that is much more often a benefit than it is a risk. -
Check whether the use of the \paragraphLaTeX directive is good style or not. -
Adjust the wording about contributions, possibly - on the one hand, Debian wants to maintain a high quality bar for the software (and that's important for the long-term success of the project), and on the other hand it wants to be an inclusive environment that promotes the DFSG principles (to me they read that the four software freedoms are important - there's no requirement for a project to accept changes from users, and that's generally understood, but there could be possible confusion about what it means to be able to edit an operating system and its software and how that relates to contributing those changes back. it's possible that people understand this intuitively, and so maybe it's OK not to explain it in detail within the microflyer) -
USB 'stick' or USB 'key'? (I think 'stick' is probably fine; both do appear on the website) -
Unintentional-exclusion: does the list of possible audiences for Debian unintentionally leave people out? (ham radio enthusiasts, children, gamers, ...) - if so, could it be rephrased, but without losing some direct appeal for audiences where Debian is likely under-represented and potentially particularly valuable compared to the software they use today? -
Lost messaging: does omitting strong references to the Debian principles and/or DFSG simplify the message too much? -
User experience: will the software disappoint users and/or overload Debian's ability to support those users? could that create risks for the project's reputation and/or sustainability? (note: I don't think there is realistically much that can be done about this in a flyer.. and I think that the additional audience and feedback about Debian would be valuable and allow the project to evolve, but awareness of the potential for that change could be important and difficult) -
Personal risk: does distribution of flyers in itself create a risk for people? I think it could do in some circumstances. fringe viewpoints can be (mis)interpreted as a sign of problems, especially if they challenge established views and structures. it's possible I've watched too many films and news items where people pushing for some kind of positive change are somehow attacked in the process of doing so, overfitting my mental model of the world to see that as the likely outcome of attemping to promote a change that I think would be worthwhile. I think the experience of learning about the reality (which in this case I expect to be probably quite dull and for me to seem like an oddball) is worthwhile though)
Edited by James Addison