To whom it may concern (please forward this if necessary!), It was decided following a recent FSF(E) discussion to produce a list of some of the major GNU/Linux distributions. This list is intended to compare the distributions with respect to their position on free software and how that gets translated into the distribution itself. This decision was made following Caldera's recent changes in policy on the subject of licensing.
Here's a preliminary list of issues that will be used in the comparison (suggested by Richard Stallman): * Does the Internet distribution include non-free software. If so, how much? * Does the distributor distribute any CDs that are 100% free software? * If non-free software is included, is it labeled clearly as non-free? * Does the distributor express any regrets for the inclusion of non-free software? * Does the distributor state that freedom is a goal? * Does the distributor develop software? If so, how much free software development does it do, and what kind of software? And does it develop any non-free software? Any non-free software that goes in the distribution? * Does the distributor call the system GNU/Linux? So here's the plan: each of the major distributions volunteers somebody to represent them on this subject and get in touch with us. We're setting up a mailing list to subscribe these volunteers to - it'll be private or at least unadvertised since, whilst we appreciate all the help we can get, we don't want to drown in pointless discussions (RMS suggested that). Then, we hope to be able to put together a detailed set of criteria based on RMS's suggestions and post those online for everybody who wants to help - after having tested them out on a couple of distributions to make sure they stand up to the real world. After this, it's likely that future distributions can be reviewed by the project owner. Em Tonkin
