Re: About the use of the term "anti-feature" in the FSD. -- Should we adopt the term UserNotifications?

[David Hedlund]

On 2024-12-30 02:12, Craig Topham wrote:

On 12/25/24 21:31, David Hedlund wrote:

On 2024-12-25 20:08, Lorenzo L. Ancora wrote:

@Craig

  I think we should reconsider the use of the term "anti-feature" and replace it with something a little more versatile.

"Anti-Features" aligns with the naming and categorization found on the F-Droid Anti-Features page.

Is the FSF holding any public agreements with F-Droid that would justify keeping such name?🤔

I don't know of any agreements with f-droid.[...] The problem is there are other potential aspects of a program which might be worth bringing to the attention of or explaining to a potential user.

I fully agree: the FSD has the occasion of distinguish itself, bringing novelty and ethical development on the table.
In particular, the complexity of ethics grows with the complexity of the applications, so the current system can't be considered future-proof.
Replacing the old concept with a more flexible one would surely ease the learning curve for both visitors and young volunteers.

"Anti-feature" is a word fit for technical issues, but surely the FSD needs to also address ethical issues.

The beginning of the new year would be a lucky occasion to introduce the concept of User Notice.


@David

I did not explicitly state that there is a public agreement with F-Droid.

The userbase can ask any question it deems appropriate

I believe there may be a language barrier at play here.

  to clear ambiguities.😅

Of course.

@all
  >  Agreed. For starters, can you please add new subsections of your examples tohttps://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Free_Software_Directory:Antifeatures#Non-features ?

In 2016 Sullivan and Dr. Stallman noted that the names of the antifeatures were a bit too aggressive.
When the FSF needs more friends, appearing irrational or aggressive isn't a good calling card.🕊️

I removed the exclamation mark from https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Free_Software_Directory:Antifeatures#Free_fork_needed to make it more friendly.

I suggest that the best course of action would be to implement the following redirections:

1. "Free_Software_Directory:Antifeatures" -> "Free_Software_Directory:UserWarnings"
2A. "Antifeature: Bait and surrender‏‎" -> "UserWarning: Tiered software"
2B.  "Software with Bait and Surrender antifeature‏‎" -> "UserWarning: Tiered software"

I added https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Free_Software_Directory:Antifeatures#Tiered_software -- Thanks

2C. "Software with Nonfree Compensation Software Promotion antifeature‏‎ " -> "UserWarning: Non-free software promotion‏‎"
2D. "Non-free software promotion‏‎ " -> "UserWarning: Non-free software promotion‏‎"
3. "Antifeature: Free fork needed!"‏‎ -> "UserWarning: Free fork missing"
4. "Antifeature: Software names with words to avoid: Linux‏‎" -> "UserWarning: Ambiguous terminology"

I renamed https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Free_Software_Directory:Antifeatures#Name_uses_a_word_to_avoid to https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Free_Software_Directory:Antifeatures#Software_titles_with_words_to_avoid

"words to avoid" (https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/words-to-avoid.en.html) is an important reference page on gnu.org.

After that, the road ahead will be much less steep.⛰️

~Lorenzo

Looks good! I'm fine with you applying these changes. Do you agree, Crag?

I suggest we hold off making changes until we have collected all the information.

I have made some minor adjustments (see above) to minimize distractions as we prepare for the upcoming year. Lorenzo also suggested the term "UserNotifications" (e.g., UserNotifications:Adware) instead of "UserWarnings" (e.g., UserWarnings:Adware) or "AntiFeatures" (e.g., AntiFeatures:Adware). I had been considering this even before he brought it up, so it seems we both agree that it's a strong choice. The term Notifications captures both features and non-features (like https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Free_Software_Directory:Antifeatures#Software_titles_with_words_to_avoid), so I suggest that we rename https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Free_Software_Directory:Antifeatures to https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Free_Software_Directory:UserNotifications. What are your thoughts, Craig?

I know this slows things down, but I feel it is the best way to be thorough and reduce the chances of having to make changes in the future.

I for one think the hierarchy should have UserWarnings at the top and that antifeatures are a type of warning.

Another example: Using a "word to avoid" is not an antifeature, but it does fall under a warning to let users know the project might not align with our values.

Yes. That is why it is now located under https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Free_Software_Directory:Antifeatures#Non-features

David: I will add to the antifeature list as you suggested, so we can keep collecting and go from there. WYDT?

Absolutely, that sounds great.

~craigt