There is much talk about data portability today, and yet Linux applications that replicate similar functions (something that Linux excels at) rarely talk to and interact with one another. Why not implement a centralized service to handle user data such as Contacts and Calendar data. That is, create a service that all apps can easily tie into, similar to how OS X has implemented their own Sync Services for such data.
Since we talk about standards so much, we must realize that a standard way of handling common data would be a wonderful benefit for users. It would require disparate developers to all get on board to come up with and implement a standard for such a thing, but imagine the possibilities of it: A user can seamlessly go between using Thunderbird's address book and Evolution's address book, for instance. And another app, say, a CRM app for example, can add a new contact to the mix, making it available for all apps that can also connect to the service, including Thunderbird and Evolution.
The system would need to be extensible as well, such that in the case that you had a contact with data that the service didn't recognize, you can still store your data there and use it. Or, I suppose, if other apps implement the same extension handler they could use it as well. But the point is that all of the common, consistent data is in tact, and the extended data degrades gracefully.
Think about it, we have efforts today such as the Data Portability movement and Weave intending to make precious user data portable on the web, why can't we have the same kind of movement on the open desktop? Canonical could sponsor an idea like this to the Linux Standards Base. It would take time, but it could happen.
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