Re: Software in main that is throughly useless without non-free software
Hi,
>>"James" == James Troup <james@nocrew.org> writes:
James> Manoj Srivastava <srivasta@debian.org> writes:
>> Hi,
>> >>"James" == James Troup <james@nocrew.org> writes:
>>
>> >> Server != library. There is no linking. There is no requirement to use
>> >> it with a non-free server.
>>
James> Hello? No requirement? What, pray tell, does one do with TiK if one
James> doesn't connect to a server (non-free)?
>>
>> Theoretically, one does not provode the software to do
>> _anything_. You may look at it. You may feel inspired to write a free
>> server. You may take pleasure in the number of packages you have
>> installed.
James> Then, _why_ do we have contrib in the first place?
I am surprised you are asking this question.
Repeat after me, please. L I N K E R. L i b r a r y. S h a r e d
l i b r a r y (I hope I am not going too fast here).
If I can't get a software to compile, or install, without
requiring non-free components on my system, it goes in contrib. The
desired functionality is to look at the out put of diagnostic tools
so I can look at how the high level protocols work.
James> If the software doesn't have to be functional/useful/whatever,
James> why don't we just abandon contrib and stick all the free
James> software which depends on non-free software to be in main?
James> After all, you can look at it. You can feel inspired to write
James> a free replacement for the non-free part. You can take
James> pleasure in the number of packages you have installed.
L I B R A R Y. C O D E S P A C E.
>> Do we have the right to deprive users of choices just because
>> we see no reason to do stuff? Sounds a trifle draconian.
James> `Deprive users of choices'? Come again? We're talking about
James> putting something in contrib rather than main, not banning the
James> program, hunting down the author and gutting him with a spoon.
contrib is not part of Debian. You are depriving me of
free software by shoving it out of Debian, just cause *YOU* do not
see what good it is.
Me thinks you exceed your auhtority.
James> I'd say the necessity to connect to the server before one
James> can do what the majority of users would do with TiK is a
James> requirement.
>>
>> Their choice.
James> No, this is the point, it's not their choice. A user has no
James> choice but to use a non-free server. Or do sweet FA with the
James> software worth talking about. I didn't think Debian was in
James> the business of promoting non-free software?
We are not. We just distribute free software, which depends on
no non free component on my machine to install or run. I am not in
the business of policing the world.
This software requires no non free component on my box. Desist
from throwing it out of Debian.
manoj
--
Your lover will never wish to leave you.
Manoj Srivastava <srivasta@debian.org> <http://www.debian.org/%7Esrivasta/>
Key C7261095 fingerprint = CB D9 F4 12 68 07 E4 05 CC 2D 27 12 1D F5 E8 6E
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