Also see https://tracker.pureos.net/T112
Purism branding elements can be packaged in the repositories of both the normal and OEM versions of PureOS, but preinstalled (or activated) only in the OEM version (i.e. so that the "purism-branding" package is installed by default on factory-preloaded Librem devices, but not on non-purism devices where people install PureOS themselves).
Either that, or the branding is dynamically applied based on hardware detection (if PureOS detects that it is running on a Librem, like in T112, it applies the Purism branding; otherwise it remains a generic PureOS), which would require a bit more software engineering compared to just diverging the normal-vs-OEM seeds. It also depends on the devices correctly identifying themselves with coreboot, for instance.
Purism branding must not appear by default on the generic PureOS when not running Librem hardware.
As Jeff already stated, branding can't be added to PureOS (besides its own) itself but Purism can use its OEM image for such branding. I will put it on wishlist severity for now. Also making mak aware of it.
Hmm, this is a tough problem to solve. We can not really make a purism-specific seed for default packages. We could enable Purism branding on specific installs though, in which case the existing seed would always need to install Purism branding though (even if it is not shown).
At the moment, I am not sure how to address this problem in both a way that is technically sane as well as liked by the FSF. I'll likely revisit the issue at a later time.
Could we not change the boring background to something not specific to Purism but promoting, 'Security, Privacy, and Freedom'?
Similarly we need to update the welcome screen (language page) of GNOME Initial Setup. I'm happy to patch the app, but for that we need to ship a logo to dislqy in the OS first.
@adrien.plazas , sorry for the late answer, we are finalizing the first version of the branding guidelines.
The main requirement is to use the logo only when it is absolutely needed (in the installer, in the initial setup and the system details of the GNOME settings).
Before using it in another place, please check with the design team.
I would definitely consider these two agressive advertisement, and I would even consider the first one a poor UI decision.
IMO there are better, less agressive ways to make it clear our users use PureOS, like having the logo in GNOME Initial Setup and GNOME Settings, or having a nice unique and artistic desktop background which extends our brand by depicting figuratively our values without stamping a name nor a logo (but good luck with that).
Or the logo should be depicted in some nice ways, like painted on a wall, or an abstract arrangement of rectangles, dunno…
@adrien.plazas , these were old proposals from James but we decided not to go this way and keep the branding at its minimum, so we will keep the application menu and background unbranded.
To make it clear, we are not Ubuntu nor RedHat nor even Google or Microsoft in the sense that we don't sell an OS. We sell devices that run this OS so we want it to feel like it is a component of the device. I that regard, the less visible branding and the best it is for the end user who will care more about the smooth integration with the hardware, the features and stability.
@francois Ah good too read, and I agree. :) I think mostly replacing GNOME's branding by Purism's should be sufficient.
Exactly @adrien.plazas !
GNOME itself is not over-branded anyway so that is perfect for us.
I don't know, at the very least the background should relate to 'Privacy and Security', even if not branded. Other than the menu options that show the switches off, *any* Linux operating system will run on our hardware.
Looking at PopOS, they have a background, fonts, and certain features that lend to a cohesiveness. They also have broken the top 20 on Distrowatch. I would like to open PureOS discussions in a Product meeting next week and invite others to discuss if you think that would be ok.
Good link Adrien. I read the links to Tobias's article and to Sam's blog! Valid argument but whatever our competitor is doing, it's working (ok, minus the theming :)
@omar.aboulhosn , we decided to work upstream with GNOME and so we don't want to promote PureOS by trying to re-invent the wheel with the hope that PureOS will be installed on a few more Thinkpads.
We target a much larger audience with our products and we will meet success outside of the GNU/Linux users crowd. We are working with GNOME to improve that user experience and even if that policy doesn't make us have the most original, trendy, flashy OS within the free software community, we will have an OS that is stable and working well for the rest of us. That is the most important.
Believe me, the GNOME default theme is very original for the majority of human beings (who never heard the word "Linux" in their life).
As for the Background image, I think that when people buy a Librem, they are aware of the privacy concern so there is no point reminding that within the OS. Most people will remove it to put their own picture anyway.
Let's put our energy in something that simply and humbly works before putting it to something that say "I look so original!".
