Re: Bug#353277: ndiswrapper in main
On 2/21/06, Ian Jackson <ian@davenant.greenend.org.uk> wrote:
> If we think they're not technical issues then we should issue an
> opinion anyway, IMO. In practice in past when we've punted things
> away saying `this is not a technical issue' no-one else has stepped up
> to provide an opinion. So we could say something like:
>
> X. We believe this is not a technical issue, so does not fall into
> our explicit remit. This decision is therefore advisory.
> However, we recommend that all parties concerned follow our
> advice unless and until a contrary statement is issued by the
> Project Leader or an appropriate Delegate.
I think this would be a good idea.
> > This language suggests that we're not dealing with technical
> > issues.
>
> My aim here is to restrict ourselves to the narrow technicalities[1]
> and to try to interpret and clarify rather than change or make policy.
> The policy is by and large reasonable from a technical point of view.
>
> [1] Of course `technicalities' != `technical issues'.
Ok.
> > > THE COMMITTEE CONCLUDES THAT
> >
> > If this is outside our jurisdiction (and I suspect that's the case), I
> > think this should be "RECOMMENDS THAT" not "CONCLUDES THAT".
>
> We can `conclude' whatever we like. To conclude is to complete a
> chain or argument or reasoning, and thus form a conclusion (ie, a
> grounded opinion).
Unfortunately, those are not the primary meanings of the word at
http://answers.com/conclude
> > > (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.
> >
> > Note that in the case of ndiswrapper this issue is a time-sensitive
> > issue. There appear to have been times when the user could have
> > made sensible use of ndiswrapper installing only free software.
>
> But then the software wasn't available in Debian at all. contrib
> seems clearly indicated for that.
This reasoning suggests that 8.(i) should read
(i) If the user or administrator who is in charge of the Debian
installation would have to adopt software X which is not available
in main to make sensible use free software Y, then Y goes in contrib.
> > You've put some very good suggestions into your proposal, but I'm
> > not going to vote for it as it stands.
>
> OK. Well, I'm happy to accept refinements.
I think I've expressed all my ideas. I'll write up a modified proposal
tomorrow if you've not already done so.
Thanks,
--
Raul
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