elementary

We’ve gained a number of new followers recently—shoutouts @FediFollows—so maybe it’s time for a re-#introduction?

Hi! We’re elementary, an #OpenSource software company with a focus on #InclusiveDesign! We make #elementaryOS—the thoughtful, capable, and ethical replacement for Windows and macOS—plus #AppCenter, the pay-what-you-can app store.

We’ve been contributing to the desktop #Linux space for about 16 years now and we’re 100% funded by regular people just like you 💕

Mar 13, 2023 at 7:22pmIvory for iOS
Show threadelementaryMar 13, 2023

We have a pretty strong stance on #Privacy and don’t believe in advertising as a revenue model. You are not the product! https://blog.elementary.io/you-are-not-the-product/

We believe that #accessibility features should be first class https://blog.elementary.io/accessibility-features-are-just-features/

And we’re all in on #Decentralized technologies like @FlatpakApps https://blog.elementary.io/elementary-appcenter-flatpak/

You Are Not the Product

A reminder about our stance on advertising and tracking

Show threadelementaryNov 17

I guess it’s time to add on a few things to this thread!

We’re a queer woman owned business and we believe in equality and inclusivity for all our LGBTQIA+ siblings 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

We don’t use AI to make our software https://docs.elementary.io/contributor-guide/development/generative-ai-policy

We condemn fascism, white supremacy, and other harmful and oppressive ideologies.

And we enforce an inclusive Code of Conduct in our communities: https://elementary.io/code-of-conduct

Generative AI Policy | Contributor Guide

Show threadEm Nov 17
@elementary @jw 💚
Show threadliaNov 17
@elementary If only the software was actually usable, but I guess that's not what matters anymore.
Show threadelementaryNov 18
@lianna if you’re having a specific issue, we’d love to hear about it! https://docs.elementary.io/contributor-guide/feedback/reporting-issues
Reporting Issues | Contributor Guide

elementary uses GitHub to track issue reports and feature requests publicly. You can send feedback to the team to inform us of a problem you encountered or an improvement that you would like to see.

Show threadAlainNov 17
@elementary I get why elementary made that decision, but completely banning AI doesn’t feel ideal anymore. With clear guidelines from the maintainers, these tools can actually help without hurting quality. It’s not about replacing anyone, just using good tools responsibly. I think it’s better to learn how to integrate AI than to block it entirely
Show threadAcin ☆Nov 17

@[email protected] the crap doesn't need to be spread everywhere.

There are others who integrate "AI". Use those if you really believe their developers are making better choices.

Show threadelementaryNov 17
@a23 still feeling quite confident that generative AI is not a good tool and there’s no way to use it responsibly. Studies consistently show it produces worse outcomes and lowers productivity across every industry it touches while its inefficiency accelerates the climate crisis and scrapers destroy the open web by effectively DDOSing websites and services in order to steal from the working class and enrich technocrats
Show thread∴7700e6 `Violet` Nov 17
@elementary agreed, but would love to see the sources of the Studies out of curiosity
Show threadKrampus 🌰Nov 17
@0x7700e6 give yourself a couple hours and read through this and follow the links https://www.wheresyoured.at/the-case-against-generative-ai/
The Case Against Generative AI

Soundtrack: Queens of the Stone Age - First It Giveth Before we go any further: This is, for the third time this year, the longest newsletter I've ever written, weighing in somewhere around 18,500 words. I've written it specifically to be read at your leisure — dip in and out

Ed Zitron's Where's Your Ed At
Show threadNoodlemazNov 17
@a23 @elementary help what
How
Show threadJared White (ResistanceNet ✊)Nov 17
@a23 @elementary It is absolutely impossible to use these services responsibly, because they're based upon a host of ethical violations that are increasingly horrific rather than getting better. Extractive & ecosystem-damaging technologies have no place in open source and ethical craft.
Show threadcuan_knaggsNov 17
@a23 @elementary no it isn't and no you can't. and if you think it can you understand neither "ai" nor the creative process
Show threadMs NgoNov 17
@a23 @elementary You’re welcome to think that, but I think you are wrong.
Show threadChad McCulloughNov 18
@elementary 💯 ❤️
Show threadNarrowhouseNov 18

@elementary It is surprising to me how many parts of this statement are considered controversial.

"we are these people, and we have beliefs"

"we don't use this particular type of tool to make our software"

"We condemn this list of historically harmful ideologies"

"We have and enforce a Code of Conduct for our communities"

Show threadiceCatMar 13, 2023
@elementary @FlatpakApps Based as usual
Show threadAdil ArifMar 13, 2023
I am not certain how @elementary is considered inclusive design. Its approach is a strong opinionated design approach that allows for amazing levels of consistency. If anything @elementary is #ExclusiveDesign much like GNOME's rich approach. KDE with its openness to supporting different workflows and design pattern is far more of an #InclusiveDesign project. Granted at its expense of consistency and ease of use, such are the tradeoffs in its approach.
Show threadelementaryMar 13, 2023
@adilarif Inclusive design doesn’t mean adding lots of knobs and switches—in fact we hear from our neurodivergent fans that our approach helps them focus and be productive—It’s about providing accommodations for a diverse range of people and their ability. Microsoft has a great introduction page here to the principles of Inclusive Design https://inclusive.microsoft.design/
Microsoft Inclusive Design

Microsoft Inclusive Design is a practice that anyone who creates and manages products and services can use to build more inclusive experiences for everyone. Get the principles, guidebooks, workshop tools, videos, and many more free resources.

Show threadAdil ArifMar 13, 2023
@elementary Ah, it was my poor understanding of the term #InclusiveDesign. Thank you for taking the time to explain. It makes much more sense now 🙂 .
Show threadZachApr 8, 2023
Question: When is the next release of Elementary OS and is it in open Alpha/Beta testing? Anyways I love y' all's operating system and how macOS like it is.
Show threadRenato TrevisanMay 25, 2023
@elementary @FediFollows Nice, I'd like to know more what makes ElementaryOS ethical and inclusive, and what does it offer that Windows, Mac and other distros don't... Thank you
Show threadelementaryMay 25, 2023
@rjltrevisan check out our further replies in this thread :) https://mastodon.social/@elementary/110017634226829269