Hy! I'm using Debian GNU/Linux now for 3 years as my only Operating System and i have read almost the complete discussion here about non-free. I think it could be useful to read the view of a normal user about this issue because i think the discussion is sometime at a high level of rhetoric words and not on the level which relate to the normal users.
First what i don't really understand is, at one point people says non-free isn't part of the Debian OS (that's what also says the Debian SC) but at the other hand some people argue that Debian have to provide the user non-free programs if they need it. But how can Debian provide this software to there user if it isn't part of the Debian OS? Now how the situation looks from a user viewpoint. I think for the most user non-free is part of the Debian OS. Let me explain why: Ask in normal Debian or GNU/Linux forums how does a normal Debian OS source.list looks. The main answer will be: deb ftp:... main contrib non-free Now look deeper in the Debian OS. If i install Debian, the installer asked me if i want to include non-free in my source-list. If the Debian OS have no non-free, why the installer asked me about? Than i install some packages and apt-get suggested me non-free software, why? I think the whole discussion about this is a lot "rhetoric blabla" if you can suggest or recommend non-free packages or not. If Debian don't provide non-free Software and also says it will be a "100% free Operating System" than it shouldn't recommend or suggest the user non-free packages. Than i try to find some package from the Debian OS in the Package database on the Debian homepage, and what i see? The database searches by default also in the non-free archive! Look at all these point and tell me, without just "rhetoric blabla", why a user should think that non-free isn't part of the Debian OS? I think there are no arguments on the realistic level of users which fits the reality how non-free packages are treated at the moment. Now how does this encourage people to use more ore less non-free software: I have seen a lot Debian user (i am also in the past) which just install every packet which is recommend or suggested just to have all installed which is in any form part of the software i have originally installed. Even if i will never use this feature just to know that i can do everything which is possible with the software package. This leads people to non-free software, even if they don't really need it, Debian shouldn't encourage people to install non-free software. Also a lot of people install programs like the adobe acrobat-reader just because they know him from there last operating system or from school, business, what ever... I have explained why most people think non-free es part of the Debian OS and why the most user have non-free in there source-list, so they just see that there is an acrobat-reader so they installed it. They don't even think about it, that there is also other alternatives which are free and fit there needs too. If they wouldn't find by default this non-free program they would maybe search for "pdf viewer" and would find the free alternatives which fit there needs. Another example would be mpg123 vs. mpg321. Many Debian user recommend you mpg123 if you ask for a console mpg-player, so the most people wouldn't think about it and install it although there would be a free replacement with mpg321. There would be more examples but i think that is enough to show you the arguments. I just think that if an "apt-get install a_non-free_program" would say "no package available" the user would search for a package which does something simular and maybe find someone. I think that's the right way, because so Debian leads the user to free Software and not to non-free Software. Often i read the argument that Debian have to help people to use there computer, with free and non-free Software. But how far does this help goes? I think Debian GNU/Linux is an open and free operation system everyone can study it and insert new features or programs whether free or non-free. Everyone can learn how to build a Debian package, so it's free to everyone to build Debian package from non-free programs. I think that's more than enough help, which you can become from a operating system which goal is Free Software and not non-free software! One last point: I have read that DD which also packages non-free programs think that if Debian drops non-free they would need more time for there non-free package and for the (maybe) new infrastructure. This is maybe true or not. But i think if you define the goal of Debian to create an 100% free operating system thats not a problem for Debian. If there is no non-free, than you are a DD if you work on the Debian OS which is only free Software. If you want also package non-free packages no one can and will stop you doing this. But this will nothing have to do with your job as DD. There will be people which create non-free packages in there spare-time which aren't DD's and there will be people which create non-free packages in there spare-time which are DD's. But that would be no subject for Debian, Debian would provides a free operating system. And if you build in your spare-time non-free packages, or drive bicycle or go swimming or... that has nothing to do with the Debian Project or your job as DD. At the end i would say: I as Debian user would be glade if Debian drops non-free and would be the first real 100% free operating system. But also if not, just think about my first paragraph (why people think that non-free is part of Debian) and try to draw an better line between non-free and main. Just some thought's from a normal Debian user about this discussion. Maybe you will find it useful or interesting. Cheers! Markus
