Re: Q: our priority: our users, or free software?

[Sruthi Chandran]

On 24/03/26 21:10, Lucas Nussbaum wrote:

Hi Sruthi,

One question I've been struggling with for some time is SC#4:

4. Our priorities are our users and free software

We will be guided by the needs of our users and the free software
community. We will place their interests first in our priorities.

This is very nice when the interests of our users and of the free
software community are aligned. But sometimes they aren't. And we
probably have at least some users who care a lot more about how well
Debian works for them, than about free software.

I agree with you on this. This is really unfortunate, but that is how things are.

Sometimes non-free tools, or infrastructure clearly based
on non-free software, can help us make Debian better for our users.
We already default to using proprietary CDNs to distribute packages.
And our QA tooling mostly runs on proprietary cloud resources.
A critical piece of Debian infrastructure (Salsa) runs on software with
an Open Core business model. There's also discussion about using
AI-based tools in the context of Debian.

Where do you stand?

TBH, in my personal life, I try to use free software wherever possible, but do resort to convenience over free software many a time. But when it comes to Debian, I am not a big fan of dilution of our dedication to Free Software. That being said, sometimes it becomes inevitable to resort to use of non-free tools etc - if users cannot use our product, what is the purpose.

Should we try to move more Debian infrastructure into the cloud to
reduce infrastructure costs (assuming that it's easier to get sponsored
for cloud ressources, than for purchasing hardware and getting it
hosted)?

But that does not mean we should be moving to non-free ecosystem when free software alternatives are possible. I would definitely push for getting more hardware sponsorship rather than cloud sponsorship. If we have to spend some extra money to run our hardware, I think this much we can do to retain our commitment to Free Software.

Or instead move back stuff that is currently running in the
cloud to Debian-owned hardware?

This, I will have to look into before answering.

And what about non-free tools? As DPL, would you accept to use Debian
money to pay for non-free software part of Debian infrastructure?
(example: GitLab Premium/Ultimate versions, if it was reasonable
regarding involved costs)

As mentioned above, I am not pro non-free tools for use in Debian. I will go forward with them only if that is the last resort, and we cannot go without them.

As DPL, would you accept to use Debian money to pay for non-free
software or services used in the context of Debian development? (I'm
thinking here about software that runs locally, not infrastructure
software part of Debian infra; example: subscription to AI services)

This is a big no for me.

Best,

Lucas

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