Henry Jensen <hjen...@mailbox.org> wrote .. > The link to the freeslack project shouldn't be a problem, since > the page at https://www.gnu.org/distros/common-distros.html links > to the very same project.
There is no reference to FreeSlack on that page, only Slackware. But even if we consider Slackware, what is being said also be considered: That page is discussing why Slackware is not acceptable for adding as an FSF-endorsed distro. In comparison, the text I'm referring to is an out-and-out referral to go *use* it if someone wants a 64-bit version: "If you are looking for a libre Slackware x86_64 variant you are welcome to use the x86_64 slack-n-free repo and have a look at the FreeSlack project." In one case, the statement (on gnu.org) is about why Slackware is not acceptable. The other is a statement to go use it if they want 64-bit. These are not the same. An FSF-endorsed distro shouldn't steer people to using ones that are not. > I have a diferent view. The statement from the FSF at [1] can be > interpreted in the way, that the de-blobbed Debian Linux kernel is > regarded as entirely free software. That deblobbed kernel is indeed free software; this discussion is solely about the "inducement" part. > Our installer doesn't do such things. I'm not discussing the installer. > Yes, there may be occurrences of names of proprietary firmware > blobs in log files. But they are not recommendations, simply names. > We do not steer people to this proprietary files, since we are not > telling people how to get them. It's not necessary to tell people how to get them in order for it to count as an inducement. In this case people's log files get spammed with "file not found" error messages. If memory serves this matter has also come up with RMS before too, and he's on board with the name scrubbing. All other endorsed distros use Linux-libre. Why should ConnochaetOS receive a special exemption? I've installed ConnochaetOS in a virtual machine and have also made these observations: - I like that the browser has been modified to send people to the FSF Directory for add-ons. That avoids the matter of steering people to non-free add-ons. - I like that the browser sends people to the non-JavaScript version of DuckDuckGo, eliminating the JavaScript Trap. - The installer advertises itself as "ConnochaetOS Linux" Based on the entry for "Linux system" in the link to Words To Avoid in the "Please Avoid Repeating Propaganda and Confusion" part of the GNU FSDG this should be changed to GNU/Linux or the Linux reference eliminated. - Some of the documentation contains no copyright or licensing information. An example: https://connochaetos.org/slack-n-free/salix/i486/slackware-14.2/Slackware-HOWTO but this also applies to the speak install and speakup docs files. According to the FSDG, "all the documentation in a free system distribution must be released under an appropriate free license." It's possible that this is already supposed to be free, but just not stated. The Slackware Howto is also talking of "Slackware Linux" and "the Linux operating system", which continues the notion of the "Linux system" mentioned earlier. Further, I'm not sure that sending people to the Slackware website for further information is the best approach that an FSF-endorsed distro should take (The Slackware documentation wiki has a lot of information...) These may be fixable, depending on the license and if modifications are allowed. I've also not been able to locate the source code for the kernel. https://connochaetos.org/slack-n-free/source/src/linux/ doesn't have it even though other directories in the parent appear to have source code.