I cover the FAQ question in reply to Marco d'Itri. Other questions: Thomas <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Francesco Poli wrote: [...] > > Well, as a matter of fact, authors always have absolute freedom to > > choose the license they like for their own works. [...example...] > Am I (the author) free in deciding the license? [...]
Yes. Are we (a packager and distributor) free in not working with it if we decide it does not follow our published guidelines? > > Keep in mind that, in these arguments, when I say "software" I'm not > > speaking of programs only: software is programs, documentation, images, > > sounds, animations, literature, ... > Ok, but as others think different (see my opinion on this point above), > do you mind would it be possible to respect the pluralism in the concept > of freedom and of what exactly software is? [...] I am confused by this. I am not telling you what you must mean by "software". I will tell you what I think debian means by "software". I will try to persuade other constituents of debian that my view should be accepted. If by "respect the pluralism" you mean generally accept non-free software into debian on the grounds that it isn't software to which the DFSG applies, then I probably never will condone that. It's just too extreme for me: mutable files holding bitstreams yet somehow the files aren't software? Very rare. Do you claim that Creative Commons draws some distinction between software and programs? I think that would be another case of CC failing to say what they believe, weakening that project, cutting up the commons between different beliefs. Really, they should be called the Creative Commonses project. See news:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Shouldn't we recognize a kind of pluralism in the concept of what > exactly are programs and software and how should they be treated, as far > as these different view reflect in licenses that are compatible with > secondary modifications? No. I believe the same freedoms which I have been persuaded to give over my programs are valuable for all software. We should treat all software equally. I also consider that to be the view of debian, expressed through the social contract and DFSG. To change those would require a strong General Resolution: I have a vote and today would argue for the current situation, based on solid pragmatic reasons. Compromise opportunity: I would want a pretty unambiguous description of when to use anything weaker than the DFSG. At least, it should avoid letting any programs which don't follow DFSG into main. No-one has posted a good definition of documentation which doesn't include some programs, for example. I think that inability is because it's not possible, but I might be proved wrong. -- MJR/slef My Opinion Only: see http://people.debian.org/~mjr/ Please follow http://www.uk.debian.org/MailingLists/#codeofconduct -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]