Re: Discussion - non-free software removal
Branden Robinson <branden@debian.org> writes:
Keep the return flames low, I'm just a debian user trying to
contribute :
<couic>
> Maintenance of the non-free section of the archive and of the
> packages within consume a non-zero quantity of resources.
ressources.
And maintaining the same level of service to users (ie recreating the
archive structure specifically for non-free, mirroring it,...) would
consume much more ressources than the current situation.
> The Social Contract makes it clear that the packages outside of
> Debian main enjoy "second-class" status. They are not the primary
> focus of our efforts, but a diversion that was, in 1997 deemed to be
> worthwhile for the sake of utility to our users.
What has changed since then ?
BTW, I have seen that netscape is not considered usefull
anymore. Well, let me say that it is to me right now. I need it to
connect to my bank's online systems. They are in the process of
modifying it to work with mozilla (or netscape6), but it hasn't
happened yet. I know the situation is specific, but such is my use of
non-free software.
> Furthermore, I don't care if Joe Developer wants to work on a
> non-free package. Must he insist that the Debian Project be
> affiliated with that work?
It is right now, and it would be a disservice to the users to drop
that support. Or to make non-free software somewhat more difficult to
get.
If users tend to be confused about the situation of the non-free
section wrt debian, I think a better strategy would be to clearly
document and advertise it.
Thanks for your time, back to reading mode,
--
Rémi
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