On Mon, 5 Apr 2010 12:01:04 +0200 Miriam Ruiz wrote: > 2010/4/5 Francesco Poli <frx@firenze.linux.it>: [...] > > Steve, please clarify your interpretation of the DFSG. > > It sounds very awkward to me. > > Even though it might sounded ackward when I first read this, Steve can > have a point here. If I am understanding correctly, he's referring to > the difference of meaning between the terms "software" and "program". I am very aware of this distinction: I myself use the term "software" in its broad sense. I even wrote an essay to explain this: http://www.inventati.org/frx/essays/softfrdm/whatissoftware.html > DFSG applies to everything Software, but DFSG#2 explicitly applies > only to computer programs. [...] > I'm not really sure if I really agree with the implications of Steve's > interpretation of DFSG#2, but I have to admit that it might make > sense, and that the answer is not obvious for me. I don't agree with the implications of Steve's interpretation, since they would mean that *almost nothing* in the DFSG apply to non-programs. Again, see my unanswered questions: http://lists.debian.org/debian-legal/2005/03/msg00149.html The fact is that GR-2004-003 amended the Social Contract in order to make it clear that the DFSG apply to all works, be they programs or non-programs: http://www.debian.org/vote/2004/vote_003 But unfortunately it did not amend the DFSG themselves, in order to make them less program-specific in their explanations. I am convinced that this was a formal flaw, that should *not* be considered as changing the meaning of GR-2004-003. A flaw that should be fixed by amending the DFSG, *not* by claiming that the majority of the DFSG do not apply to non-programs. I hope this clarifies my personal position. -- http://www.inventati.org/frx/progs/scripts/pdebuild-hooks.html Need some pdebuild hook scripts? ..................................................... Francesco Poli . GnuPG key fpr == C979 F34B 27CE 5CD8 DC12 31B5 78F4 279B DD6D FCF4
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