Because there appears to be some residual confusion[1][2][3] about
what I actually proposed and its content, here is the proposal as it
currently stands. The proposal is only the content between BEGIN
PROPOSAL and END PROPOSAL.
========== BEGIN PROPOSAL =====================================
The Free Software movement is about enabling users to modify the works
that they use on their computer; about giving users the same
information that copyright holders and upstream developers have. As
such, a critical part of the Free Software movement is the
availability of source (that is, the form of the work that a copyright
holder or developer would use to actually modify the work) to users.
This makes sure that users are not held hostage by the whims (or lack
of interest or financial incentive) of upstreams and copyright
holders.
Different types of works have different forms of source. For some
works, the preferred form for modification may not actually be
digitally transferable.[1] For others, the form that originally was
preferred may have been destroyed at some point in time, and is no
longer available to anyone. However, to the greatest extent
possible,[2] the availability of source code to users is a critical
aspect of having the freedom to modify the software that is running
upon ones computer.
Recognizing this, the Debian Project:
A. Reaffirms that programmatic works distributed in the Debian
system (IE, in main) must be 100% Free Software, regardless of
whether the work is designed to run on the CPU, a subsidiary
processing unit, or by some other form of execution. That is,
works must include the form that the copyright holder or upstream
developer would actually use for modification.
B. Strongly recommends that all non-programmatic works distribute
the form that the copyright holder or upstream developer would
actually use for modification. Such forms need not be distributed
in the orig.tar.gz (unless required by license) but should be
made available on upstream websites and/or using Debian project
resources.
C. Reaffirms its continued support of users whose hardware (or
software) requires works which are not freely licensed or whose
source is not available by making such works available in
non-free and providing project resources to the extent that
Debian is capable of doing so.
D. Requests that vendors of hardware, even those whose firmware is
not loaded by the operating system, provide the prefered form for
modification so that purchasers of their hardware can
exercise their freedom to modify the functioning of their
hardware.
1: Consider film negatives, or magnetic tape in the case of audio
recordings.
2: Here it must be emphasized that we refer to "technically possible"
or "possible for some party" as opposed to "legally possible for
Debian". We also assume digital distribution, and do not attempt to
require the distribution of physical objects.
============= END PROPOSAL ===============================
If necessary, consider this an amendment under A.1.2; seconders, you
may object to the "changes" under A.1.5. (If you decide to re-second
this proposal, please only second the part between the === lines.)
I've also attached the suggested content for the v.d.o webpages for
this option in the interest of completeness.
Don Armstrong
1: http://cvs.debian.org/webwml/english/vote/2006/vote_004.wml?root=webwml&r1=1.3&r2=1.4
2: http://lists.debian.org/debian-vote/2006/09/msg00228.html
3: http://lists.debian.org/debian-vote/2006/09/msg00235.html
--
CNN/Reuters: News reports have filtered out early this morning that US
forces have swooped on an Iraqi Primary School and detained 6th Grade
teacher Mohammed Al-Hazar. Sources indicate that, when arrested,
Al-Hazar was in possession of a ruler, a protractor, a set square and
a calculator. US President George W Bush argued that this was clear
and overwhelming evidence that Iraq indeed possessed weapons of maths
instruction.
http://www.donarmstrong.com http://rzlab.ucr.edu
<vproposer />
<p> Don Armstrong
[<a href="mailto:don@debian.org";>don@debian.org</a>]
</p>
<vseconds />
<ol>
<li> René van Bevern
[<a href="mailto:rvb@debian.org";>rvb@debian.org</a>]
</li>
<li> Frank Küster
[<a href="mailto:frank@debian.org";>frank@debian.org</a>]
</li>
<li> Pierre Habouzit
[<a href="mailto:madcoder@debian.org";>madcoder@debian.org</a>]
</li>
<li> Alexander Wirt
[<a href="mailto:formorer@debian.org";>formorer@debian.org</a>]
</li>
<li> Kari Pahula
[<a href="mailto:kaol@debian.org";>kaol@debian.org</a>]
</li>
<li> Anibal Monsalve Salazar
[<a href="mailto:anibal@debian.org";>anibal@debian.org</a>]
</li>
</ol>
<vtext />
<p> Choice 1.
The actual text of the resolution is as follows:
</p>
<h2>DFSG #2 applies to all programmatic works</h2>
<p>The Free Software movement is about enabling users to modify
the works that they use on their computer; about giving users the same
information that copyright holders and upstream developers have. As
such, a critical part of the Free Software movement is the
availability of source (that is, the form of the work that a copyright
holder or developer would use to actually modify the work) to users.
This makes sure that users are not held hostage by the whims (or lack
of interest or financial incentive) of upstreams and copyright
holders.</p>
<p>Different types of works have different forms of source. For
some works, the preferred form for modification may not actually be
digitally transferable.[1] For others, the form that originally was
preferred may have been destroyed at some point in time, and is no
longer available to anyone. However, to the greatest extent
possible,[2] the availability of source code to users is a critical
aspect of having the freedom to modify the software that is running
upon ones computer.
<h3>Recognizing this, the Debian Project:</h3>
<ol style="list-style-type: upper-alpha">
<li>
<p>
Reaffirms that programmatic works distributed in the
Debian system (IE, in main) must be 100% Free Software,
regardless of whether the work is designed to run on the
CPU, a subsidiary processing unit, or by some other form
of execution. That is, works must include the form that
the copyright holder or upstream developer would
actually use for modification.
</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Strongly recommends that all non-programmatic works
distribute the form that the copyright holder or
upstream developer would actually use for
modification. Such forms need not be distributed in the
orig.tar.gz (unless required by license) but should be
made available on upstream websites and/or using Debian
project resources.
</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Reaffirms its continued support of users whose hardware
(or software) requires works which are not freely
licensed or whose source is not available by making such
works available in non-free and providing project
resources to the extent that Debian is capable of doing
so.
</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Requests that vendors of hardware, even those whose
firmware is not loaded by the operating system, provide
the prefered form for modification so that purchasers of
their hardware can exercise their freedom to modify the
functioning of their hardware.
</p>
</li>
</ol>
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