Re: Unidentified subject!
Brian C <brian@rurnt.com> wrote:
> Richard Stallman wrote:
> > The question at hand is whether Debian should accept or reject
> > GFDL-covered manuals. The argument for that is that there are many
> > such manuals and they would be useful to include, and the DFSG can
> > be interpreted to accept it.
>
> As one of those more inclined to listen to the rationale behind the
> GFDL, and as one who still leaves open the possibility that the
> DFSG might allow for something very much like the GFDL, I
> certainly hope that you do not intend the above to be an exhaustive
> list of the arguments in favor of including GFDL-licensed manuals
> in Debian. The arguments appear to be:
>
> 1) There are many GFDL manuals.
> 2) The many GFDL manuals would be useful to include.
>
> Obviously Debian (and the FSF) would not accept such arguments in
> other contexts. For instance, one would not make much headway in
> either circle regarding the inclusion of proprietary software by
> arguing either of:
>
> 1) There are many proprietary software programs.
> 2) The many proprietary software programs would be useful to
> include.
I couldn't believe that RMS actually wrote that when I read it.
> Part of such a demonstration might include an explanation of
> the many tough decisions that the FSF had to make when drafting
> the GFDL, and the rationales behind each part. With a greater
> understanding of these tough issues, Debian developers might
> say, "Wow. They're right. That is a tough issue to deal with
> and we cannot think of any better way to write a license to
> deal with that problem. Hmmm, perhaps the GFDL is as free as
> we can get regarding this issue."
Which brings us back to:
: The principal argument in favor of the GFDL seems to be "this is the
: only way we can get our message out".
This is the only reason we were given so far as to why important
freedoms must be given up in the GFDL. I for one don't believe that
method of getting the message out to be consistent with the message (of
freedom) itself. So I cannot be convinced to give up the freedom and
still call the license free.
I don't feel we are making _any_ progress. We should simply agree to
disagree. Debian appears to believe in stronger freedom than the FSF.
Peter
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