On Sat, Jun 05, 1999 at 08:57:51PM -0500, Steve Greenland wrote: > > Keep in mind that neither GIFs nor TIFFs per se have any problems. It is > > the Lempel-Ziv compression algorithm, which is an optional part of the > > image file formats, that is the problem. > > As I noted in my earlier message, even though that bypasses the non-free > issue, most people will probably not pick up the subtle point. We have > a hard-earned and deserved reputation as sticklers about free software. > I don't want people thinking "Well, GIFs must be ok, 'cause Debian uses > them." GIFs _are_ okay in all but the US. =p This is why I believe patented software should not be considered non-free. If China decides next week to grant a software patent for any piece of software which resembles an OS kernel, are we going to call Linux itself non-free? Most certainly not! We'd instead call China on drugs. => I think LZW and similar things which are patented (mp3 encoders anybody?) should be placed on pandora in the appropriate section based on the LICENSE of the software---not the stupid laws of some backwards country run by a bunch of complete MORONS with their heads up their collective arses.. (should this message be Cc'd to president@whitehouse.gov ?) > (I was honestly surprised to learn that the graphics on www.debian.org > were GIFs; it never occured to me that we would use them.) You can have a non-compressed GIF you know. We have libungif which does those just fine. -- Joseph Carter <knghtbrd@debian.org> Debian GNU/Linux developer PGP: E8D68481E3A8BB77 8EE22996C9445FBE The Source Comes First! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- <Knghtbrd> Leave it to manoj to call procmail "puny"
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