Re: General Resolution: Removing non-free
On Fri, Jun 09, 2000 at 11:34:45AM +0200, Marek Habersack wrote:
> ** On Jun 08, Jeff Licquia scribbled:
> > On Wed, Jun 07, 2000 at 03:09:12AM -0500, Manoj Srivastava wrote:
> > > Clintonian speech. We are removing all packages, and all BTS
> > > support, but we are continuing to support non-DFSG software. Yeah,
> > > right. And when we said we shal support you, we never said for how
> > > long. We just meant. we promise to do something until we change
> > > our minds.
> >
> > The implications of this are a bit disturbing. Essentially, you are
> > stating that Debian is honor-bound to package and distribute non-free
> > software for all time, no matter how the circumstances surrounding the
> > need for non-free change.
> No, he didn't say that. As I read it: we will support the software untill we
> have something at least *equally* good to offer to you, our Users.
>
> > In other words, Debian could end up being a *refuge* for non-free
> > software, if many people's goals for free software come to pass and
> > free distribution becomes the norm.
> >
> > Is this what you mean to say? If not, under what conditions do you
> > think Debian could stop distributing non-free software?
> When we can offer the users replacement for *every* piece of non-free
> software which will meet their requirements - meaning, which will be at
> least as good as the non-free software we want to expell from Debian. It's
> as easy as that.
Excellent point. In other words, the only "refuge" for non-free software is
a lack of equivalent free software.
--Adam
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