Re: [GNU-linux-libre] How do you handle references to non-free softwarein public forums?

[Karl Goetz]

On Fri, 8 Jul 2011 16:34:54 +0200
Henry Jensen <address@hidden> wrote:

> On Fri, 8 Jul 2011 13:03:41 +1000
> Karl Goetz <address@hidden> wrote:

> > I'm skipping the exact incident, I just wanted to note "Non-FSDG
> > software isn't non-free software.". This is normally "My freedom
> > doesn't match yours, so yours is invalid (even though i'm in your
> > forum)". A page to say 'this is our sort of freedom, there are
> > other definitions, we dint use them' might be useful. Thoughts?
> 
> It depends on the audience and comes down to the question: What do we
> want to achieve with our free distros? Personally, I want to give
> users the chance to use a fully free system.

I imagine most of us on the list fit that category.

[...]

> For example, I think that the FSDG and Debians DFSG are made of the
> same spirit, they are very close. The differences, as I see it, are
> small details. In other words: Debian is not our enemy, on the
> contrary, the Debian project is an ally in very most cases.

Agreed :).

> So if someone would refer to Debian or the DFSG, especially if this
> user is new to free software, I would not trounce this user. Maybe I
> would point out the difference in the specific case, but leave it
> there.

Af course i agree you shouldn't 'trounce' them, but depending on
context worth pointing out that debian doesn't meet (our!) guidelines
for freedom.

> > Whats the difference between proprietary and NON-FSDG? I don't see
> > one existing (I've always understood that in FSF parlance
> > proprietary == non-free == non-fsdg).
> 
> I don't think you can, for example, judge Debian ethical the same way
> as, let's say, Microsoft Windows.

Why? You should judge them by the same rules, hopefully Debian will
come out in front though ;)
(Note that i was talking about specific bits of software, so that might
have confused that point).

thanks,
kk

-- 
Karl Goetz, (Kamping_Kaiser / VK5FOSS)
Debian contributor / gNewSense Maintainer
http://www.kgoetz.id.au
No, I won't join your social networking group

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