On Fri, Mar 07, 2025 at 11:05:02PM +0530, pan...@disroot.org wrote:
I understand that users need proprietary drivers to run certain hardware, and Debian should not ignore this reality. That is why I am not asking Debian to become a fully GNU-endorsed distro like Trisquel, which rejects all non-free software in every case.
Good! It's also good that you already know about Trisquel and so we can skip suggesting it.
However, at the same time, Debian should not readily promote non-free firmware to the point where it loses its philosophical distinction and becomes just another convenience-focused distribution like Ubuntu or Linux Mint.
I would like Debian to become more convenience-focused than FSF-focused.
After compromising a byte, our goal should be to find/develop libre alternatives so that, in the future, Debian users are less (bit) dependent on non-free firmware.
You could do that in parallel. Please do find/develop those.
Instead, we did the opposite--compromising more, from a byte to a kilobyte, for the sake of convenience. If this trend continues, what stops us from reaching a megabyte of compromise?Debian's official inclusion of non-free firmware contradicts its original philosophical values and social contract. Today, Debian includes a few non-free firmwares; tomorrow, it may include several; and the day after, many.
Yes please!
I urge Debian to rethink its decision to officially include non-free firmware and correct the social contract.
There is a procedure for that. Assuming you cannot propose a GR yourself you may find DDs who will want to do that. However, make sure you both understand that proposing a GR that will definitely fail just wastes time of people involved.
Instead of making non-free firmware the default, Debian should ensure that users consciously choose to install it while being made aware of the implications.
That was option 3, which lost to all options except FD, or maybe (considering the mood of your email) option 4, *which lost to FD*.
GNU explains: https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/install-fest-devil.html Imagine hiding the "devil" by making it an official part of Debian. Debian is Debian--the "devil" should not be an official part of it.
You know what to use if you don't like the current Social Contract of Debian.
-- WBR, wRAR
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