Should Social Media applications be included in Lite Software?

[elelme]

New here, and my observation is worth what it costs--
But, I came to Linux, and especially now, Lite, because I don't share every moment of my life
with everybody and their cousin. If I wanted that, I would have just stayed with Windows.  :
I do like how light Lite is now.

[smhardesty]

Add me to that list of "anti social software" guys. I won't fully express my thoughts about it here.

I'm in complete agreement with what Ottawagrant said. I don't want to have to spend an hour after a fresh install removing apps/packages I don't want or need. I have no problem with any type of software being "offered" for install in some way, but I'd really like to see Linux Lite remain as lightweight as it is now with the default install.

[trinidad]

Our target audience are Windows users. Facebook features are seamlessly integrated into Windows 10. The most common complaint I get from my new group of Linux Lite converts (approaching 100 now) is the inadequacy and problematic usage of Facebook features in Linux Lite. They are not interested in other options, as most are long time Facebook users. The better integration Linux Lite has with Facebook, the more new users will become available, at least here in the US. There is room for improvement in the Ubuntu LTS version and I think it would be a worthwhile endeavor for this distro to improve its performance.

All that said, I do not use Facebook or social media other than Linux forums, e-mail, or text messaging.

TC

[smhardesty]

Hey there, trinidad. I see that you're not a Facebook or other social disease user. I guess you can tell from my previous remark how I feel about social media. While I understand your comments about the "need" for an OS with Facebook features seamlessly integrated into it, I would be one of the very first to abandon Lite, or any OS, that installed by default any seamlessly integrated parts of any social media. I read the text on the Home page of the Lite website and saw this: "Easy to Use Free Linux Operating System". Then I read the Features and Support web pages. Everything I read about Linux Lite led me to believe it was a lightweight, but solid OS that was ready to use "out of the box" and didn't have any of the typical "bloat" that so many Linux distros have today. I don't see how it would be possible to continue to boast of the light weight of Lite if it came loaded with social media integration packed in the default install.

I use GIMP regularly, but I could easily understand GIMP being removed from the default install. The fact is that not a lot of users are going to be using GIMP. I could easily install GIMP myself after getting Lite installed and updated. I use FTP regularly also and I have no problem installing the FTP package of my choice.

I understand I'm a really new member of this forum and haven't even had Lite installed a week yet, so I understand if my opinion is taken a little lighter than some of the old timers on here. That's natural. I will point out that if I had read that Lite had social media integrated into it by default, I wouldn't even be here. I'm going to venture a guess that there are a LOT of Lite users and forum members that steer away from social media. It's no secret that all the social media sites have had, and still have, serious security issues. Some steal their users info to sell to anyone with the money to buy. Computers are regularly hijacked or infected during use of social media. We all know this to be true.

Bottom line is that I would have to leave Lite if a new version ever included any social media that is either integrated into the OS or even installed by default. I'm just that anti social, I guess.

[elelme]

And Trinidad, smhardesty is correct. It is Linux Lite. It is wonderful. Why ruin it with highly
invasive or complicated software? Can't you access Twitter and Facebook and even some Feed Readers
through the browser? (I once was able to, but haven't been that SOCIAL lately, so forgive me if
I am in error.)

[Artim]

Even when I was on Windows I only used the browser to access social media whether it was Fakebook or forums or anything else.  What other applications would you use?  We have Pidgin for all that chat stuff (including AOL, Skype, and Fakebook Messenger), what else is there for fakebook users anyway?


This is Linux anyway, and I think we ought to be promoting more privacy-respecting alternatives anyway (like Diaspora), but that's beside the point I guess.  All the Fakebook users I know use only a web browser to access it, so I'm not sure what else is needed to "reach" users.

[Valtam]

Remember folks, this isn't about integrating social media applications into LL, I don't how you formulated that. It's about offering an application as an option in Lite Software.

[trinidad]

Yes Jerry. It is a good idea to include social media apps in Lite software. Thank you for all your efforts. I'm sure some of the annoying things about the FBapp will be better served in an XFCE DE.

et al:  The way most ordinary computer users understand "security" is poignantly baffling to me, probably because old age has softened me a bit. I won't elaborate out of respect for this distro and this forum other than to say it is easier (less bloated code) to truly secure (harden) OS integrated applications. I once saw an acronymous explanation for Linux that read something like this: Learning In a New Usage Xperience. Seemed apt to me. Not loving MariaDB very much these days, but I accept that it is better.

TC



   

[Coastie]

Remember folks, ... It's about offering an application as an option in Lite Software.

Anything that might be helpful to new users is good in Lite Software. Other installing methods might be more confusing. Just keep it Lite.  Just cover the basic needs for new users in included apps in iso. More advanced users can install other wanted apps or uninstall unwanted ones.

[smhardesty]

Remember folks, this isn't about integrating social media applications into LL, I don't how you formulated that. It's about offering an application as an option in Lite Software.

Jerry,

OK, I have to admit that because I don't have a thing to do with any social media of any kind, I'm at a loss to fully understand what it means by "offering an application as an option in Lite Software". Wouldn't that software be available in Synaptic to install? Or are you referring to making that software available on the list in the "Lite Software" app? If that's the case, then no, I would have absolutely no objection. I don't even use the "Lite Software" app. I pop open Synaptic to do any software installs or removals.

I wouldn't want to discourage possible new users of Lite by not making social media apps easily available to them, for sure. The larger the user base, the greater the odds of Lite continuing on for all of us to use. So yes, if making something easily available in the "Lite Software" app would possibly improve the chances of a new user learning to like Linux Lite, then I'd say go for it.