Ubuntu Linux & keeping it Human
This morning, on the way to work, I was listening to a Podcast featuring Jeff Waugh of Gnome & Ubuntu Linux fame talk about Ubuntu Linux. An excellent podcast covering the rationale behind the Linux for Human beings and how things are run at Ubuntu
The most important thing that struck me real hard was the ‘Ubuntu Code of Conduct’. Quoting from the Ubuntu Code of Conduct page :
We chose the name Ubuntu for this distribution because we think it captures perfectly the spirit of sharing and cooperation that is at the heart of the open source movement. In the Free Software world, we collaborate freely on a volunteer basis to build software for everyone’s benefit. We improve on the work of others, which we have been given freely, and then share our improvements on the same basis
The actual code of conduct is made up of 6 principles:
- Be Considerate
- Be Respectful
- Be Collaborative
- When you disagree, consult others
- When you are unsure, ask for help
- Step down considerately
It is stated that this code of conduct helps the Ubuntu hackers communicate and collaborate as then make path-breaking moves in making a Linux distro that is cool, neat and just works (always)
As I read it, I felt that this has far reaching implications not just for Ubuntu & the Open Source Software world, but life in general (& more specifically work life). Personally, I would try & follow these principles in letter & in spirit in my daily life, not for any other reason, but simply because it makes a lot of sense to me
On another note, we at eBay follow 4 principles which we call ‘The eBay Behaviors’
- Practise Judgement
- Lead Completely
- Trust each other
- Keep it Human
To me, the Ubuntu Code of Conduct embodies everything that ‘Keep it Human’ stands for
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