Pjotr Prins <pjotr.publi...@thebird.nl> writes: >> Not packaging FF or crippling FF is a no-go! Doing so will discourage >> users from using GuixSD and Free Software.
As an anecdote with a data-point of one, I uninstalled GuixSD because I suddenly needed the machine I was running it on to be my daily driver. I had been attempting to package Firefox whenever I had a spare moment, but I ran out of time and needed it to work as I didn't have time to migrate all the machines I use to a libre-friendly browser (nor am I sure I want to). > That is an interesting one. GNU Guix, by virtue of it being a GNU > project needs to abide by GNU free software terms. But even among core > project members there are variations in thought in how to compromise > with user requirements. A package manager that does not target user > needs is a shitty package manager. This is one reason I champion the > concept of channels: > > guix channel firefox http://some-origin/guix-channels/firefox > guix package -i firefox > > so we can make GNU Guix as pure as possible and leverage less pure > concepts (such as Firefox and Conda) into something that is not > considered part of the core project. I think it would also render > other maintenance benefits, for example versioning of old software > would become much easier. > > guix channel ruby-1.8 http://some-origin/guix-channels/ruby-1.8 > guix package -i ruby > > I hope we get something like this at some point. So do I. I completely agree with the points made elsewhere in this thread about joining idealism with pragmatism, and I think channels are a good way to allow people who want/need to run less-than-libre software to remain with and support Guix, without forcing the project to adopt software contrary to its goals. -- Katherine
