Re: Bug#353277: ndiswrapper in main

[Ian Jackson <ian@davenant.greenend.org.uk>]

I miswrote `achieved' as `required'.  So I withdraw my previous motion
and propose the following instead, and call for a vote.

WHEREAS

1. ndiswrapper's purpose is to allow non-free drivers to be used.

2. While there may be cases where ndiswrapper can be used
   with a DFSG-free driver, these are exceptional.

3. The Committee is by and large satisfied with the intent behind the
   language in the Policy Manual regarding the distinction between
   non-free and contrib.

4. The Committee does not wish to overturn or change established
   political policy about the distinction between main and contrib,
   and does not wish to usurp the political authority of the Project
   Leader.

5. The Committee's reading of the current Policy Manual wording is
   that ndiswrapper falls fairly clearly into the area currently
   defined for `contrib'.

6. However, the language in the Policy Manual is somewhat unclear and
   ambiguous, and by some readings inconsistent.

THE COMMITTEE CONCLUDES THAT

6. ndiswrapper belongs in contrib.

7. References to `package outside of main', `packages which are not in
   our archive at all', etc., in the relevant part of the Policy
   Manual, should be changed to refer to `programs' or `software'.

8. The policy manual should be clarified to make it clear that free
   software to talk to non-free software over a network can remain in
   main.  In our opinion the relevant principle is that:

 (i) If the user or administrator who is in charge of the Debian
   installation would have to adopt non-free software X to make
   sensible use free software Y, then Y goes in contrib.

 (ii) However, if free software Y is used by the user or administrator
   of the Debian system to cope to with someone else's use of non-free
   software X on another system not under their control, then Y goes
   in main.

AND THE COMMITTEE THEREFORE REQUESTS AS FOLLOWS

9. ftpmasters and the ndiswrapper maintainers should cooperate to move
   nsidwrapper to contrib.  (If the required 3:1 supermajority is
   achieved, the ftpmasters and ndiswrapper maintainers are hereby
   required to do so.)

10. The Policy Manual maintainers should take steps to adjust the
   language regarding main and contrib to clarify and improve it.  The
   Maintainers should take our opinion in paragraphs 7 and 8 as
   advisory; they should also have regard to opinions from the Leader
   about the correct effect.

Ian.