Hi, I'm going to share a couple of personal remarks regarding GNOME and KDE.
# The Message. I'm going to deceive myself on this one and use "made to share" based on the initial impact it causes when someone opens our webpage, this is interesting because it completely obliterates "GNOME: The Free Software Desktop Project". Once more I don't want to be disruptive, but this sentence "the free software desktop project" isn't very catchy neither appellative to someone who just arrives in search of information "KDE - Be free" - http://www.kde.org "GNOME - Made to share" - http://www.kde.org Both of this are actually very good, and start defining a positioning between GNOME and KDE. GNOME establishing himself on "sharing" and KDE on "freedom". This is most likely a segmentation point for users based on cultural, social and technological concepts they have. The good point on KDE's "freedom" it's the proximity of therms with "free software", which once more is countered with "sharing", at some point it can be associated with the old battle moto "free as in freedom of speech, not free as free beer", at least to me makes sense to be understood as "sharing" if we face it from the open source software point of view. GPL itself cries out loud for "sharing". They are both very well achieved. So I would presume that "The Free Software Desktop Project" could be someone sorted out. # The thirst of the newcomer... I would suppose that most people that arrive to www.gnome.org already have an idea of what GNOME actually is. I don't background data to support this, but let's take as true: The majority of visitor's are seeking a Graphical Desktop Enviroment. The first thing people will look for is screenshots; based on KDE and GNOME homepage: http://www.kde.org/screenshots/ http://www.gnome.org There isn't such a link in our webpage, there is a screenshot, eventually the easiest one to find is preset at: http://library.gnome.org/misc/release- notes/2.28/. Fair enough, a screenshot on the release notes. KDE concept on this is far more developed. They do present a screenshot section, and they actually focus the new releases with the size they use on their initial splash captions. They also pass on to the user an idea of background history. They are very appealing on this screenshots, and everyone trying KDE with normal supported hardware (lets say supported video card any GL flavour) will not feel deceived when trying it. GNOME on the other hand, passes a clear idea of being an alternative to other existing products. The release version number might be deceiving supported. The screenshot itself it maybe appealing for people who already simpathize with GNOME, but I would believe newcomers would be more sensitive to KDE. They both offer different technology and different philosophies/concepts. I would mention aswell, that at the current stage, either GNOME or KDE are much more appealing with compiz. This is better seen on youtube, then actually in any screenshot. I would suggest, since we lack a section of screenshots, that if the "philosophy" doesn't come in the way we could have a section of seeing GNOME live, this could easilly done with videos feating GNOME at it's best. This could also have smaller sub-sections with other kinds of media, like tutorials oriented for developers (we should stimulate developers and students to use our technology). I would recon this point would be something marketing could explore a lot. # GNOME.ORG / KDE.ORG concept Based once more on the inital splash page of GNOME and KDE, one thing pops out immediatly: KDE.ORG is a product page. GNOME.ORG is a community webpage. Once more positioning of GNOME and KDE go different way. GNOME establishes a set of links to community interest and KDE pop's product. KDE focus in first place through it's menus: A description of the product (what is KDE)... Aims to what they believe positions them for their target "consumers", eye candy (Screenshots)... This one is pro... TRY, INTERACT WITH US... Try KDE. They then pass on some more accurate info, they segment this information for current users, press, announcements, history, legacy, etc. This is actually very good aswell. As depending on what takes you to their page, information is easy to find. GNOME on the other hand, focuses a new release, presents information for the community to the community. And presents some community links related to GNOME. My personal view is that KDE pretends to be a Conquering Product: Try us and then join us. While GNOME pretends to appeal people to join the community and share with us. The lines of philosophy are very clear at this point. A good part of positioning is already set here. If it's right or wrong, I do don't but this is the feeling I get by myself. # The Community This part based on KDE webpage is well structure for them. They establish a code of conduct, while is actually good. They present themselfs, offer information and then they offer clean access to mailing lists, forums, availability of merchandise, etc. This is pretty neat, because it offers direct inter-action with the visitor. GNOME on the other hand provides a different set of things. There is access to mailing lists, project oriented page links, etc. Actually GNOME demands more interaction from users. Navigation is harder for the newcomer and suggests you already know what you came there for. At some point the degree of interaction is limited to mailing lists and IRC, and I would recon that IRC can be most likely more intimidating. I could go on and continue with more differences. But I felt I should point this out and eventually confront people and suggest they shared their views and if this is actually how we pretend it to be. Nelson -- marketing-list mailing list marketing-list@gnome.org http://mail.gnome.org/mailman/listinfo/marketing-list