Re: RFH: How to compile swf files from source

[Charlie Smotherman <cjsmo@cableone.net>]

On Wed, 2010-08-04 at 16:59 -0500, Peter Samuelson wrote:
> [Charlie Smotherman]
> > "ampache ships a swf file but does not build it from source."
> > 
> > I am curious to know which part of Debian Policy states that this is
> > required?  I have search but was unable to find anything.
> 
> It is the principle.  If I am an end user, and I want to modify your
> .swf file on my Debian system, how do I do it?  What do I edit?  Do I
> need to go through a separate step to obtain a usable .swf with my
> modifications in it?
> 
> Source code is a means to an end.  The end is the ability of the end
> user to customize the software.  If you get source code but no way to
> build a new .swf file from it, this end is not served.
> 
> (Although Debian doesn't strictly subscribe to the FSF's "Four
> Freedoms" (http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html), I think the
> FSF's explanation of "freedom 1" is pretty good.)
> 

If I interpret your above statement correctly, there is no policy that
states that this is required.  Is that a fair statement?

If there is nothing in policy to support bug #519202, how can it be
considered valid?

I'm not trying to start a flame war or anything I'm just trying to
understand how a bug can be filed against my package and be considered a
serious violation of policy when there is nothing in the policy manual
stating such.

Charlie