Re: [directory-discuss] 'Bait and surrender'

[J.B. Nicholson]

Svetlana Tkachenko wrote:
> In my opinion, yes, it would. However, if that free software code or
> documentation is modified, it may start to qualify.

Are you referring to the FSF free distro guidelines language which says all 
the documentation in a free system distribution "must take care not to 
recommend nonfree software"?

If so, I think there's a difference between that and what is being 
discussed as "Bait and surrender" software. The latter is free software 
that is merely not as powerful as its non-free variant. There's nothing 
unethical about being less capable, but it is unethical to restrict users 
from running, sharing, and modifying the program.

Perhaps I don't understand the point of this free software directory: Is it 
the point of this free software directory to only list programs that could 
be part of an FSF-approved free distribution?

I took this directory to be useful for all free software users. I didn't 
think the goal was to point only to those programs that could be part of an 
FSF-approved free distro.

> This is correct, but often needs substantial amount of effort.

To be clear, I didn't say "Should one want to, one could improve the free 
variant to the point where it satisfies needs as well as the proprietary 
variant." to suggest that job performance should be a factor in whether the 
program gets a listing in this directory. I mentioned it because free 
software improvement is always a possibility by anyone (even privately to 
meet their own needs). How much effort is needed strikes me as a completely 
orthogonal issue to whether I'd have permission to do make the improvements.

I'd like a directory that tells me about all published free software, 
informs me which programs are known to be superseded by another free 
program, lists free programs that are long out-of-date (with some clear 
indication on how long that is), and contains reviews by people willing to 
explain their perspective with details (not terse "It's great!" or "It 
stinks!" opinions or their iconic equivalents).

Tagging programs for easy searching (e.g., show me spreadsheet and database 
programs which have GUI and CLIs) strikes me as a great idea, so I'm fine 
with a tag that lists free programs we're discussing as "Bait and 
surrender" free programs (or whatever the replacement language will be).