On Tue, 25 Apr 2023 21:58:54 -0400 bill-auger wrote: > without those, distros would likely stop distributing the > game engine also; so its a "package deal" really
i would like to expand on this point - it has broader implications for the FSDG, and is a recurring topic of discussion some have suggested that it conflicts with the "steering toward" guideline, for an FSDG distro to distribute a program, which only known use-case (other than hack to it out) is to install or wrap some other non-free program (flash-player-installer is exemplary) - this is generally considered to be "steering toward" use of some other non-free program, prohibited per the FSDG WRT scummvm, there o/c remains the use-case of writing a new game for it; but that is equivalent, in all aspects but the work-load, to hacking-out specific bits of some code-base, in order to make it fit the FSDG (eg: someone could hack flash-player-installer to point at a libre file) both are possible and common; but neither would fully excuse the "steering toward" guideline, until indeed some libre replacement exists, for the distro to "deflect toward" - ie: without the deflection of intention, to distribute scummvm, is to "steer toward" playing non-free games this is one of those FSDG grey-areas, for which it would be good to have some consensus