Re: Question about linux-wlan-ng-firmware in main

[Goswin von Brederlow <brederlo@informatik.uni-tuebingen.de>]

Frank Küster <frank@debian.org> writes:

> Bas Wijnen <shevek@fmf.nl> wrote:
>
>> On Tue, May 30, 2006 at 03:26:56PM +0200, Frank K?ster wrote:
>>> No, it wasn't.  As long as I can remember, packages which contained a
>>> small part of contrib material, which was not crucial for the function
>>> of the package as a whole, can go to main.  Look at the policy:
>>> 
>>> ,---- 2.2.1 The main category
>>> | Every package in main must comply with the DFSG (Debian Free Software
>>> | Guidelines).
>>> | 
>>> | In addition, the packages in main
>>> | 
>>> |     * must not require a package outside of main for compilation or
>>> |       execution (thus, the package must not declare a "Depends",
>>> |       "Recommends", or "Build-Depends" relationship on a non-main
>>> |       package), 
>>> `----
>>> 
>>> This explicitly does *not* mention "Suggests".
>>
>> Packages containing some contrib material, without which the package functions
>> well, can indeed go in main AFAIK.  However, if I understand the situation
>> correctly, this package is completely useless without the non-free firmware if
>> you happen to have a device which needs it.  
>
> It seems we are confusing source packages and binary packages here.  The
> source package is linux-wlan-ng, and this clearly has a use
> independently of any non-free files.  The binary package is
> linux-wlan-ng-firmware, and this is only a downloader.
>
>> Then again, this sounds pretty much like a thing for debian-legal. :-)
>
> I rather think it's a technical question:  Can a source package in main
> produce one binary package that is installed in contrib, or is the
> separation done only on the level of source packages?
>
> Regards, Frank

Afaik they can and that is what should happen.

MfG
        Goswin