Re: agreeing with the DFSG (was Re: non-free --> non-dfsg)
On Mon, Jan 18, 1999 at 06:19:46PM -0600, Ossama Othman wrote:
> Hi Craig,
>
> I get the impression that my objectivity is being misinterpreted again.
not sure what you mean by that. i thought i was quite careful to state
that i was using a generic "you" in my examples, and not referring to you
personally. if you got that impression, then i apologise because that was
not what i intended.
> IMHO, the idea that developer's should agree with the DSFG and/or the
> social contract in their entirety is dangerous and will only hinder
> Debian. I don't agree with all of Debian's policies, nor should I have to.
> However, I became a Debian developer knowing full well what Debian's
> policies are and I will follow them.
i agree. i don't think developers have to 100% agree with every single
one of debian's policies. I do think, however, that developers
should agree to abide by debian policies, and working within debian's
constitution to effect any changes, and (more importantly) they should
agree with the "spirit" of the social contract and DFSG.
unfortunately, "spirit" is an ill-defined and nebulous thing, hard to
pin down exactly. The Social Contract and the DFSG are a good attempt
to define debian's spirit.
> When I can longer do so, and that may never happen, I will leave.
> This isn't a threat or anything of the sort.
your comments about leaving when/if you can no longer agree with
debian's policies is kind of what i meant. i don't think anyone should
be kicked out (except perhaps for extreme cases, which i cant/dont want
to imagine right now), but that their own priorities for what they feel
worthy of donating the time/energy to, and perhaps their own sense of
honour, will make the decision to leave.
similarly, i think that people who don't have a committment to debian's
"spirit" shouldn't join up as developers in the first place. they should
find somewhere more in tune with their own beliefs...they'd be happier
and more productive, and so would we.
BTW, people have left debian in the past for several reasons - including
running out of time (i.e they graduated or got a new job), and also over
major disagreements in direction. some have gone on to do other, equally
worthwhile and valuable work either by themselves or in another group.
> My concern is that Debian is becoming (almost) elitist.
what's wrong with elitism :-)
there's too much mediocrity in the world. more elitist high quality
stuff is needed.
> Some people are flat out saying "conform or get out," in a sense. Is
> this really a healthy attitude for Debian to have?
i think you are greatly exaggerating the strength of the comments that
have been made.
OTOH, if someone ever did something seriously damaging to debian i
would hope that they did have the decency to voluntary get out without
dragging us all into a huge fight over whether they should be kicked out
or not.
> I happen to admire Debian a great deal. If I feel that Debian may be
> doing something that may hurt itself then I will speak up about it, just
> as any Debian user should.
yes. "should" is the right word here.
> The fact that my opinions go against what is apparently the Debian
> mainstream way of thinking doesn't mean that I should leave.
however, if (after you have had your say) the majority of developers
think you are wrong and the vote goes against you then you should either
a) shut up about it for a reasonable period of time - several months at
least, or b) voluntary leave if you can't do (a).
> If used properly, diversity of opinion should only help Debian. Those
> with opinions that differ from the mainstream should not be branded
> "heretics" or encouraged to leave.
you could have the debian chicken (in a slashed-circle) branded across
your forehead.
we should put that in our constitution. heretics to be branded and
marched out with a cattle-prod. maybe have different brands for the
different heresies so that all can see at a glance what kind of
perversion the branded one will try to lead them into.
btw, if you think that paragraph needed a smilie then you need to get
out more and relax a bit.
craig
--
craig sanders
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