[steering-discuss] decision on screenshots

HI :slight_smile:
No, absolutely not. Totally disagree. The 2nd paragraph as written by Cor
contradicts the first paragraph and will push people into using Windows for
screen-shots. It then states that individuals will be prosecuted if at all
possible if any breach of Eula does go to court. This is NOT acceptable imo.
Regards from
Tom :slight_smile:

Hi,

The Steering Committee notices there are discussions about a small legal
risk involved for screenshots on non-free operating systems, but does
not feel the need to make any advise on this and also takes no liability
whatever in this matter.

we cannot exclude liability. As soon as TDF issues documentation, in cases of gross negligence, the BoD will be held liable later on.

Florian

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Simon Phipps, http://webmink.com/
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Independent Global Open Source Expertise

On 10 Aug 2011, at 09:21, Florian Effenberger wrote:

Hi Simon,

Simon Phipps wrote on 2011-08-07 14:44:

This is too strong. The fact is, every action any project takes is subject to legal risk. Name one that isn't. All that's happened here is that (for whatever motive) the theoretical risk has been articulated for (a part of) this case. I'd suggest saying:

"The Steering Committee feels that the legal risk involved in using screenshots of non-free desktops in documentation is no greater than any other theoretical risk facing software projects."

not totally. IIRC, Microsoft claimed that taking screenshots will breach the EULA.

Do you have a reference where? I have only seen speculative interpretation of the EULA.

So, to me, although it is a lot of FUD, it is a bit different to any "normal" (unclaimed) risks in daily open source work.

To bring this topic to an end, I tried to incorporate all changes into the following statement - thoughts welcome:

==
Screenshots for documentation, website and marketing should preferably be taken on GNU/Linux, but may also be taken on any other operating system.

The Steering Committee acknowledges that there is a small legal risk involved for screenshots on non-free operating systems, but it feels that the legal risk involved is no greater than other theoretical risk free software projects face.

The Steering Committee recommends a consistent visual appearance (e.g. theming) for the screenshots taken on the selected operating system. It is up to the LibreOffice community how to achieve that consistency.

Can we all live with that?

I think it is a mistake to state that the SC acknowledges a risk. It is a hostage to fortune in the event of litigation, and it's not necessary to state.

Florian

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Florian Effenberger <floeff@documentfoundation.org>
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Florian Effenberger wrote (10-08-11 12:22)

Hi,

The Steering Committee notices there are discussions about a small legal
risk involved for screenshots on non-free operating systems, but does
not feel the need to make any advise on this and also takes no liability
whatever in this matter.

we cannot exclude liability. As soon as TDF issues documentation, in
cases of gross negligence, the BoD will be held liable later on.

Yes of course. With that explanation, your 2nd paragraph is OK for me.

Thanks,

Unfortunately that ship has sailed... too late now, the harm is
already done.... but sure, keeping it as a standing policy is worse.

Norbert

Hi,

based on the feedback, this would be my proposal to vote on:

==
Screenshots for documentation, website and marketing should preferably be taken on GNU/Linux, but may also be taken on any other operating system.

The Steering Committee acknowledges that there is a small legal risk involved for screenshots on non-free operating systems, but it feels that the legal risk involved is no greater than other theoretical risk free software projects face.

The Steering Committee recommends a consistent visual appearance (e.g. theming and branding) for the screenshots taken on the selected operating system. It is up to the LibreOffice community how to achieve that consistency.

Are there any severe objections and concerns (please no "beauty corrections", only severe changes), or can we start the SC vote?

Florian

Hi :slight_smile:
+1

Possibly omit the middle paragraph. It would leave the statement without an
explanation but at least it would state what the preference is.
Regards from
Tom :slight_smile:

+1

Hi Florian,

based on the feedback, this would be my proposal to vote on:

I suppose the minor corrections below fall in the category of the
"beauty corrections" you mentioned, but the SC's decision might be
clearer for some people if the grammar is perfect. FWIW, I'd agree
with Tom and Paulo that the second para ("The Steering Committee
acknowledges that there is...") serves no purpose. So that would give:

"Screenshots for documentation, website and marketing should
preferably be taken on GNU/Linux, but may also be taken on any other
operating system.

The Steering Committee recommends a consistent visual appearance (e.g.
theming and branding) for the screenshots taken on the selected
operating system. It is up to the LibreOffice community how to achieve
that consistency."

HTH.

I agree with that. The second paragraph serve no practical purpose.

Norbert

I'm amused that the point I was making has been taken on board silently; naturally I agree :slight_smile:

S.

Hi :slight_smile:
It's all good. We get there in the end. Hopefully in a more elegant and less
turgid way next time!
Regards from
Tom :slight_smile: