Task:Texts for maemo.nokia.com

(Introduction to open source: Fixing "branding" and cutting out some clearly inaccurate stuff)
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maemo.nokia.com will contain two pages related to the current scope of maemo.org. Here we will draft the text for both. Quim has to deliver a first complete draft by 2008-11-18.
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maemo.nokia.com will contain one page related to the current scope of maemo.org. Here we draft it. Quim needs to deliver *yesterday*.
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== Introduction for developers ==
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[http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?p=308006 Talk discussion]
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Ideas to develop, keeping them simple and short. More catchy than accurate or explained in depth.
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== Software freedom, open communities and you ==
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* Basic platform description.
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Maemo devices are all about choice. Users can enjoy the features and services included right out of the box, and they can shape their own experience by downloading many more applications — most of them for free. This is how Maemo devices become something more than just cool gadgets, they become integral tools that satisfy demanding customers.
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* Intro to the offering in a sensible way: Mozilla add-ons, Python, C/C++, GTK+Qt, SDK, SDK+, Eclipse plugins (do we need to digest all this or make a tighter selection).
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* Specific message to Linux ports.
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* Specific message to Symbian and .NET developers.
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* Highlights on open platform development.
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* Introduction to Forum Nokia: official & stable.
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* Introduction to maemo.org Developers corner: community & unstable.
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* Links to Quickstart Guide, Reference Manual and Training Materials.
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== Introduction to open source ==
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That said, if you want more... there is a lot more.
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=== What is Maemo? ===
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Maemo is an open platform running on open devices. It has Linux at its core, but also plenty more software components maintained by communities of open source developers. The platform is based on well-known technologies that are widely used in the free software community.
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Maemo is a software platform based primarily on open source code that powers mobile devices like the N810 Internet Tablet.
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''"So what?"'' you might say. Well, all of this matters if you wish to go beyond the role of a customer, a pure user.
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=== Maemo Development ===
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Maemo is developed as an open collaboration between Nokia and many generous volunteer programmers, designers, and users. Most of Maemo's components are open source, which gives users and developers the freedom and flexibility to modify and use the software how they please.
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In 1991, a young developer named Linus Torvalds began a software project in Helsinki, Finland (coincidentally the same city where the Maemo headquarters are located). That project was called Linux, and one interesting aspect of it was its ''open'' and ''free'' creative process. Other developers could look at the code, improve it, adapt it to specific purposes, and redistribute it.
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Developers are naturally inquisitive and enjoy understanding how things are created. Open source developers have the freedom to improve them. As with the World Wide Web, the absence of license restrictions and fees allows anyone with the knowledge and initiative to start new projects and contribute to existing ones. The openness of the Maemo platform attracts open source projects developed by the community. This means more choices for users and more freedom for developers.
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All of this was — and is — done in a transparent and collaborative way, mostly via the Internet. Freedom, transparency, and online collaboration defined the methods of working on this very successful project. Free software existed before Linux, but over the years it has become a global phenomenon, an industrial trend, and a source of inspiration for countless important projects that drive the Internet today: Mozilla, Wikipedia, BitTorrent... The list is long. Maemo is proud to be a part of this tradition, contributing to several open source projects where Nokia is also involved.  
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=== The Maemo Community ===
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You will feel this as soon as you land at [http://maemo.org http://maemo.org]. The Maemo Community is a place for everybody to share, discuss, get and provide help, work on improvements, and enjoy the open atmosphere. No matter what your background in computing is, or what your motivation for purchasing a Maemo device was, you are guaranteed to find peers to meet and have fun with. This is how anyone can get involved in open source collaboration — even without a clue about programming.
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Open source software is created by communities of developers and users working together to solve problems, innovate existing technologies, and implement new ideas. Users are in direct contact with developers and can suggest improvements, obtain support, and get involved. Smart minds, creative skills, and helpful people of all kinds are all welcome—and, in fact, are necessities of a sustainable open source community.
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Give it a try. [http://maemo.org/downloads/ Download] and rate some applications, [http://talk.maemo.org share your opinions], [http://maemo.org/community/brainstorm/ propose ideas]... Once you enter this open collaboration, it will be easy to know what to do next.
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The best part is the exciting potential for collaboration—you will rarely find yourself working alone. This is the power of a passionate community. It is exactly this power that brings humanity together through software that improves the lives of others.
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'''Beware.''' You might end up learning more than you expect. You might become more excited and involved than you intended to. Your community karma  might rise beyond your expectations. One day you might even find yourself meeting other Maemo peers face-to-face, late at night in a city you've never visited before —  far beyond the point where you were a pure user.
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Yes, all of these things might happen to you after opening a Maemo box.
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=== Get Involved with Maemo ===
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[[Category:Tasks]]
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There are several ways to get involved with Maemo. If you just want to get your feet wet in community affairs or ask other users for help, head over to [http://talk.maemo.org talk.maemo.org]. If you know of a bug or want to make a feature request, do it at [http://bugs.maemo.org bugs.maemo.org]. If you're a developer, start with the [http://maemo.org/development/documentation/ Maemo documentation] and check out some of the current projects going on at [http://garage.maemo.org garage.maemo.org]. It doesn't matter how you interact with Maemo—every community member's contribution makes this community better.
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== Further Development Needed ==
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Ideas to develop, keeping them simple and short. More catchy than accurate or explained in depth.
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* Why being able to look at the source code of software is relevant to normal people.
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** No licencing costs
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** Freedom to use (No constricting EULA)
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** Freedom to share (pass copies around)
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** Developing software in the open permits peer review (more secure software)
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** Development by community - the doors are open, come on in!
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* How normal people benefits from software freedom.
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* Every user is a potential contributor.
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* How Maemo benefits from the work of other projects, and viceversa.
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** Sharing infrastructure - collaborate on higher quality building materials to make better houses
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** Collaboration on what's shared, competition on what's different
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* Short history and trends.
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* maemo.org entry points to get started.
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Links to know more:
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* [http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/philosophy.html FSF philosophy]
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* [http://www.dwheeler.com/oss_fs_why.html Why Open Source?] (from David Wheeler - numbers based argument)
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* [http://www.redhat.com/about/whyopensource/ Why Open Source?] (from Red Hat - more emotional argument)
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* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_source Open Source on wikipedia]
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* ...
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* propose URLs
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Latest revision as of 08:53, 11 May 2010

maemo.nokia.com will contain one page related to the current scope of maemo.org. Here we draft it. Quim needs to deliver *yesterday*.

Talk discussion

[edit] Software freedom, open communities and you

Maemo devices are all about choice. Users can enjoy the features and services included right out of the box, and they can shape their own experience by downloading many more applications — most of them for free. This is how Maemo devices become something more than just cool gadgets, they become integral tools that satisfy demanding customers.

That said, if you want more... there is a lot more.

Maemo is an open platform running on open devices. It has Linux at its core, but also plenty more software components maintained by communities of open source developers. The platform is based on well-known technologies that are widely used in the free software community.

"So what?" you might say. Well, all of this matters if you wish to go beyond the role of a customer, a pure user.

In 1991, a young developer named Linus Torvalds began a software project in Helsinki, Finland (coincidentally the same city where the Maemo headquarters are located). That project was called Linux, and one interesting aspect of it was its open and free creative process. Other developers could look at the code, improve it, adapt it to specific purposes, and redistribute it.

All of this was — and is — done in a transparent and collaborative way, mostly via the Internet. Freedom, transparency, and online collaboration defined the methods of working on this very successful project. Free software existed before Linux, but over the years it has become a global phenomenon, an industrial trend, and a source of inspiration for countless important projects that drive the Internet today: Mozilla, Wikipedia, BitTorrent... The list is long. Maemo is proud to be a part of this tradition, contributing to several open source projects where Nokia is also involved.

You will feel this as soon as you land at http://maemo.org. The Maemo Community is a place for everybody to share, discuss, get and provide help, work on improvements, and enjoy the open atmosphere. No matter what your background in computing is, or what your motivation for purchasing a Maemo device was, you are guaranteed to find peers to meet and have fun with. This is how anyone can get involved in open source collaboration — even without a clue about programming.

Give it a try. Download and rate some applications, share your opinions, propose ideas... Once you enter this open collaboration, it will be easy to know what to do next.

Beware. You might end up learning more than you expect. You might become more excited and involved than you intended to. Your community karma might rise beyond your expectations. One day you might even find yourself meeting other Maemo peers face-to-face, late at night in a city you've never visited before — far beyond the point where you were a pure user.

Yes, all of these things might happen to you after opening a Maemo box.