buggNewSense GNU/Linux - Bugs: bug #37692, False information in FAQ

 
 

bug #37692: False information in FAQ

Submitter:  Eduardo Trápani <etrapani>
Submitted:  Thu 08 Nov 2012 01:37:24 PM UTC
   
 
Category:  None Severity:  3 - Normal
Item Group:  Website Status:  Invalid
Privacy:  Public Assigned to:  samgee
Open/Closed:  Closed
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Mon 12 Nov 2012 08:59:11 PM UTC, comment #4: 

I've reworded slightly to:

Debian provides non-free software (including non-free kernel drivers) through its repositories.

While Debian has the non-free section I don't think it's worth going into detail about things like the Artistic License.

The GLX issue was ignored by them in so far that it was left in for several releases in violation of their software freedom policy.

Sam Geeraerts <samgee>
Group administrator
Mon 12 Nov 2012 04:18:08 PM UTC, comment #3: 

Unfortunately I don't have access to the wiki so I can't make the changes you propose.  I actually work on Trisquel so I just monitor the gNewSense bug list for bugs that are also relevant to Trisquel. 

Either way here is an example of an artistic license 1.0 package in main:

http://packages.debian.org/sid/simutrans

- <_88759>
Mon 12 Nov 2012 01:17:23 PM UTC, comment #2: 

Ok, then say so:

> Debian provides non-free software through its repositories and includes non-free kernel drivers.


  • Debian provides non-free software through its repositories.


That would be enough.  Or you can state the difference between the projects perceptions on some licenses, like these [1][2] for anyone to explore.  A single link to a Debian non-free (according to GNU/FSF) package in main would wrap it up and make your point clear without having to resort to inaccurate/subjective statements.

For example, I read the whole Debian bug report on GLX, currently linked by you from the FAQ[3], and I can only say the issue had been payed attention all along and the outcome was great for the whole community[4].  Did it take a long time?  Yes.  But I wouldn't go as far as to say it was ignored during that time.  A license change doesn't happen overnight, and code was refactored in between, moving the bits with the conflicting license.

But let's not waste time.  There is free software waiting to be written ;).  I ask you to close the bug I reported.  Marking it invalid and/or wontfix is ok with me.

[1] http://wiki.debian.org/DFSGLicenses#The_Artistic_License
[2] http://www.gnu.org/licenses/license-list.html#ArtisticLicense
[3] http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=211765
[4] http://www.fsf.org/news/thank-you-sgi

Eduardo Trápani <etrapani>
Mon 12 Nov 2012 03:52:55 AM UTC, comment #1: 

They do have non-free software in their main repo if you go by the GNU/FSF definition.  The artistic 1.0 license is considered non-free by the GNU project and Debian has artistic 1.0 licensed software in their main repo.

- <_88759>
Thu 08 Nov 2012 01:37:24 PM UTC, original submission:  

http://www.gnewsense.org/FAQ#Aren.27t_Ubuntu.2BAC8-Debian_already_free.3F

> Debian provides non-free software through its repositories and includes non-free kernel drivers.


Non-free kernel drivers are not in the main kernel[1].  I suggest you either write:

  • Debian provides non-free software and non-free kernel drivers through its repositories.


or even better (and less misleading):

  • Debian provides non-free software and non-free kernel drivers through specific non-free repositories.


[1] http://www.debian.org/News/2010/20101215

Eduardo Trápani <etrapani>

 

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    Follow 3 latest changes.

    Date Changed by Updated Field Previous Value => Replaced by
    2012-11-12 samgee StatusNone Invalid
        Assigned toNone samgee
        Open/ClosedOpen Closed

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