On 15 Nov 2002, John Hasler wrote: > Bruce writes: > > I'm worried that if Debian totally ignores the non-free software world, > > it will ignore Debian. > > Do you understand what the non-free archive is?
Yes, since Debian 1.3, <rant> when I read the Social Contract, saw what was available, then decided this was the OS for me because: 1) it would install on the 4M RAM, 40M HDD laptop 2) was expandable from tiny to a full Linux OS 3) the DFSG != GPL (I do not believe in fighting fire with fire, but that is a whole other discussion) Casting off non-free changes 3) to DFSG = GPL-like, which puts 2) at risk; 1) hasn't been there for awhile. Debian dumping non-free would result in a Linux OS that, if it had happened pre-1.3, would have just been another of the Linux varieties to choose from (each with their own set of limitations), and if it happens tomorrow... would yield a Linux that I, ifI was still new to Linux, would rate lower than .rpm based distributions. I just don't see a difference between trying to force `free' and trying to force `proprietary', and would be saddened to see what I saw as distinguishing Debian from the others, disappear. </rant> > > I think a much better solution would be for Debian to find a > > multi-national commercial partner to take over non-free... > > Why would such a company want to? If I was a company I would certainly be hesitant to do anything with Debian because it seems to have a problem with people making money off software. So, ya, good question, why would a company support Debian's cast off non-free archive. However, if Debian was looking for a commercial partner because it was unable to do a decent job of supporting non-free software (an understandable lack of developer interest), but was still interested in its users having a choice within the framework of Debian's way of doing things, well, that would be a whole other story--in which case you may as well ask why any company would want to support any OS it didn't control. - Bruce -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
