On 08/29/2017 03:25 AM, Carsten Leonhardt wrote:
Actually, I haven't seen anyone citing the following part of policy 2.2.1: "None of the packages in the main archive area require software outside of that area to function." If we agree that "functioning software" does more than print an error or a usage note, this part makes it rather clear where free client software to non-free server software belongs.
It also would apply to anything where the server isn't packaged (in main)—whether or not a free server exists.. The plain wording of Policy requires that the server (if it's required for the client to operate) not only be free, but also be packaged in main.
That clearly doesn't match historical or current practice.Policy is not the Social Contract, Policy is not the Constitution. Policy can be relatively easily changed and is supposed to largely document actual practices. So really, Policy needs to be amended. And attempting to language-lawyer Policy like this is pointless.