Re: Bug#353277: ndiswrapper in main

["Raul Miller" <moth.debian@gmail.com>]

This is my rephrasing of Ian's proposal.  Changes:

(*) Emphasize the debian dependency issue.
(*) Emphasize that this is a recommendation, not a command.

Basically, I'm repeating what Ian has already said.

I'm proposing this as a votable option.

Thanks,

--
Raul




WHEREAS

1. ndiswrapper's purpose is to allow non-debian (and typically 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, and
  none of these drivers are available in Debian main.

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 RECOMMENDS 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.

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