On Wed, 2003-08-27 at 06:48, Wouter Vanden Hove wrote: > Hi, > Where can I find the actual Debian-decision on the GNU Free > Documentation License?
Wouter, it is my understanding that Debian interprets the Social Contract and the Free Software Guidelines based upon consensus that develops upon debian-legal. This process should not be confused with 100% agreement. Over time a position may become clear as it has in relation to the GNU FDL. You should not expect an "actual Debian-decision" unless the consensus interpretation is challenged by proposing, seconding and voting upon a General Resolution to change the Social Contract/Free Software Guidelines. Right now there are implementation issues related to removing GFDL software from Debian and a claim that some members of the Free Software Foundation has asked for more time to make the GFDL a free software licence. Richard Stallman has recently stated on this list that one of the major issues--invariance--is not negotiable. It is possible (but unlikely) that Stallman's dictates could be challenged within the Free Software Foundation. I also see a wider context to this issue. The Debian project is now a very influential organisation and recent events indicate that Richard Stallman would like to undermine its influence. Even though Richard Stallman is in the process of becoming a Debian developer he recently denigrated Debian: <http://www.ofb.biz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=260> RMS: When I recommend a GNU/Linux distribution, I choose based on ethical considerations. Today I would recommend GNU/LinEx, the distribution prepared by the government of Extremadura, because that's the only installable distribution that consists entirely of free software. If I knew of more than one such distribution, I would choose between them based on practical considerations. TRB: What about Debian GNU/Linux, which by default does not install any non-free software? RMS: Non-free programs are not officially considered "part of Debian", but Debian does distribute them. The Debian web site describes non-free programs, and their ftp server distributes them. That's why we don't have links to their site on www.gnu.org. [For a while this was patently false: <http://www.gnu.org/links/links.html> It is truly extraordinary but the link to Debian GNU/Linux has been removed! "Updated: $Date: 2003/08/18 21:42:23 $ $Author: rms $". The same version is now in Google's cache. Still around 100 links to go (but I'm pretty sure there were a lot more when I last checked): <http://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Awww.gnu.org+%22debian.org%22>] GNU/LinEx is better because it does not distribute or recommend those programs. TRB: How about distributions, such as Mandrake or Red Hat, that keep non-free software out of their downloadable versions all together? RMS: I would not rely on that, because I know they have not been very careful in checking whether packages really are free. TRB: Does your desktop run GNU/Linux, and if so, do you run "GNU/LinEx" or some other distribution? RMS: I travel most of the time, so I don't have a desktop machine, only a laptop. It runs Debian GNU/Linux, which was the best distribution in terms of respecting freedom as of the time we set up the machine. (The availability of GNU/LinEx is a recent development.) TRB: Has the Free Software Foundation ever considered publishing a complete GNU/Linux distribution? RMS: We sponsored the development of Debian GNU/Linux back in 1994. TRB: Especially with the selection of truly free distributions being somewhat lacking, why did the Foundation get out of the distribution development "business"? RMS: My thinking was that if we made our own modified version of Debian it would not get much usage, and that developing an entirely new distribution would be a lot of work and only worth doing with the Hurd. ... ======================================================================= Please note that Debian's decision making about the GNU FDL is definitely not based upon petty personality issues. The consensus process literally took years. It is a quality, reasoned consensus that respects Debian's social contract and the DFSG, and overturning it would require an amendment to Debian's founding principles. Regards, Adam
