Re: Debian Free Software (FSF) or Open Source? (was Re; non-cd...)
Hi,
>>"Steve" == Steve Lamb <morpheus@calweb.com> writes:
Steve> Correct. Now, tell me, is begrudging people their choice of
Steve> software a goal of Debian? No. The arguement I had with
Steve> Manoj was about one thing and that was it. He begrudges
Steve> people that and then wrote from the viewpoint of the project
Steve> and Debian developers *AS* *A* *WHOLE*.
Steve> He stated as much in one of his messages, check the mailing list
Steve> archives.
Steve> *THAT* is what I objected to.
Debian says it is committted to 100% free software, free as
defined in the DFSG.
Debian says that any software that is non free or depends on non free
software is not part of debian
Debian has, in the past, preferred solutions that are free in favour
of a better non-free product.
Debian took money given to them via sales of a non free product; and
gave it to a free alternative that was not as advanced.
In the discussion in the past, to the best of my recollection only
one debian developer opnely supports debian promoting non-free
software. I could be mistaken about this. I would e really
surprised if there were ore than a handful of debian developers
not totally commited to the concept of freedom of software
In this discussion, there has been one devloer that agreed with you,
and several that sided with me
There have been major grumblings when people tried using a non free
database for a debian internal project; to the extent that the
person working on it gave up; we are waiting for it to be
implemented no a free alternative datsabase package
In fact, there have been grumblings whenever we used non free
packages for the project internally.
Past flam wars like this usually come to the conclusion that we
actively promote free software
Given all this, I do not think it was unreasonable for me to
say "we grudgingly provide non-free software on out ftp site
for our users". The only reason non-free software is there because
our users want it.
Object all you want. I think I do express the sentiments of
most of the deelopers when I said it. (If not, I am sure people shall
let me know ;-).
manoj
--
Lull'd in the countless chambers of the brain, Our thoughts are
link'd by many a hidden chain; Awake but one, and lo, what myriads
arise! Each stamps its image as the other flies. -- Alexander Pope
Manoj Srivastava <srivasta@acm.org> <http://www.datasync.com/%7Esrivasta/>
Key C7261095 fingerprint = CB D9 F4 12 68 07 E4 05 CC 2D 27 12 1D F5 E8 6E
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