Since the last round of updates we've had additional feedback from the User
Engagement team, and we'd like to propose some further changes to a broad
audience.
The goal of the proposed changes is to see *if* we can trim the principles to
118 characters of text without sacrificing meaning, so that Mozilla can utilize
grass roots marketing efforts, such as Twitter (118 characters of text +
shortened url = Twitter 140 character limit). If we can shorten without
changing the meaning, we can utilize social media to compete against
organizations with much larger marketing budgets and communicate directly with
users. This is not to say, in any way, that social media should trump
substance. Rather, it’s an attempt to see if we can do both - keep the
substance and gain the social media presence.
After having worked through the goal and the language with Mitchell, I think
this has been accomplished, and I think she agrees that this is the case.
While the Manifesto was written to Mozillians, we discussed the benefit to
making it more broadly accessible through social media and that the added
crispness and clarity that we hope to achieve by shortening the principles may
also add benefit and is worth discussing. We hope to gather input this week to
allow time to launch a v1.0 in October, as part of Mozilla’s 15th anniversary
year.
For more information about his project, please visit
https://wiki.mozilla.org/Manifesto/1.0_Changes
The changes:
Two principles required additional shortening beyond our initial efforts. We’d
like to focus the discussion on these two to help make sure that the additional
changes conform to the original intent. (Note - the numbers in parentheses are
the character counts, targeted at 118 or less.)
Proposed #6: The Internet depends on interoperability, innovation and
decentralized participation worldwide. (95)
Notes:
Previously approved version: The effectiveness of the Internet as a public
resource depends upon interoperability, innovation and decentralized
participation worldwide. (140)
Alternate revision: As a public resource, the Internet depends on
interoperability, innovation and decentralized participation worldwide. (117)
Original: The effectiveness of the Internet as a public resource depends upon
interoperability (protocols, data formats, content), innovation and
decentralized participation worldwide. (174)
Benefits of Proposed Version: Shortens to focus on the Internet itself, less
complexity in an already complex principle. The Internet is defined as a
public resource in principle #2.
Proposed #9: A balance between commercial involvement and public benefit is
critical to the health of the Internet. (102)
Notes:
Previously approved version: Commercial involvement in the Internet brings
many benefits; a balance between commercial goals and public benefit is
critical. (129)
Alternate revision: A balance between commercial goals and public benefit is
critical and brings many benefits. (92)
Original: Commercial involvement in the development of the Internet brings many
benefits; a balance between commercial goals and public benefit is critical.
(146)
Benefits of Proposed Version: Keeps the original emphasis on the necessity for
commercial involvement, while removing repetitiveness to shorten. The proposed
version is thought to better emphasize commercial involvement. Public benefit
is emphasized a second time in principle #10.
Other changes:
Principle #1 - Replace the dash with a semi-colon.
Principle # 3 – Replace “individual human beings” with “individuals”
Principle # 5 – Replace “it” with “online”
Principle #10 – Replace “Magnifying” with “Increasing”
Proposed Revision as of 09/16/13:
1. The Internet is integral to modern life: education, communication,
collaboration, business, entertainment and society. (118)
2. The Internet is a global public resource that must remain open and
accessible. (80)
3. The Internet should enrich the lives of individuals. (52)
4. Security and privacy on the Internet are fundamental and can not be treated
as optional. (88)
5. Individuals must have the ability to shape the Internet and their own
experiences online. (89)
6. The Internet depends on interoperability, innovation and decentralized
participation worldwide. (95)
7. Free and open source software promotes the development of the Internet as a
public resource. (93)
8. Transparent community-based processes promote participation, accountability
and trust. (88)
9. A balance between commercial involvement and public benefit is critical to
the health of the Internet. (102)
10. Increasing the public benefit aspects of the Internet is an important goal
worthy of time, attention and commitment. (116)
_______________________________________________
governance mailing list
[email protected]
https://lists.mozilla.org/listinfo/governance
