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I maintain that we need a "fall guy" group in the Linux desktop space to fund, develop, and openly release stuff that would get the Internet mad at existing players, so they typically avoid doing them.
Keeping in mind the intent is to push things forward while not caring about peoples' gut reactions (because technology is more nuanced than a gut reaction!), this could include…
“AI” features, which actually means local, private ML features we’ve fallen behind on like autocorrect, grammar checking, camera quality, noise canceling… basically, ML features your phone has been able to do for 5+ years that we’ve fallen behind on.
I hate “AI,” and the current generative-AI landscape is a speculative bubble—BUT there are real features and improvements that wouldn't have been called AI before; fundraise based on the hype, implement based on actual useful local improvements.
Metrics! By which I mean scientifically-privacy-guaranteed ways to help us understand how our platforms and tech are used, released as open data sets. Let's stop pretending we know how people use GNOME or KDE or this app or that feature—let's find out, ethically.
The FOSS world used to be at the forefront of developing & adopting globally-distributed network tech (version control! realtime chat!). There's no reason we should tie our hands behind our back when it comes to making our stuff better
Interoperability with big tech! Any time there's an open tech that could make our platform better, more compelling, and an easier switch from big tech platforms, we should consider integrating with it—even if that means using an Apple technology, signing a Google terms of use doc, or rubbing elbows with Microsoft. I'm talking:
Matter, HomeKit, AirPlay, Google Cast, Quick Share, Fast Pair…
Work *with* big tech to fill in ecosystem features—and ultimately make the off-ramp from big tech easier.
A space for Bonfire maintainers and contributors to communicate
