Re: [GNU-linux-libre] TeXLive auditing
% This macro file belongs to the public domain % under the conditions specified by the author of TeX: % % ``Macro files like PLAIN.TEX should not be changed in any way, % except with respect to preloaded fonts, % unless the changes are authorized by the authors of the macros.'' % % Donald E. Knuth % % For details see MEXINFO.ENG or MEXINFO.POL. It's clearly nonfree and different that what Knuth states in plain.tex: % Unlimited copying and redistribution of this file are permitted as long % as this file is not modified. Modifications are permitted, but only if % the resulting file is not named plain.tex. I cant see any contradiction plain.tex cannot be changed but if you rename as plain-pepito.tex is everything ok
Re: [GNU-linux-libre] TeXLive auditing
From http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html ...it is acceptable for the license to require that you change the name of the modified version, remove a logo, or identify your modifications as yours. As long as these requirements are not so burdensome that they effectively hamper you from releasing your changes, they are acceptable; you're already making other changes to the program, so you won't have trouble making a few more. signature.asc Description: PGP signature
Re: [GNU-linux-libre] [Parabola] TeXLive auditing
I have spent hundreds of (frustrating) hours on freedom fixes in TeX Live. I don't doubt plenty of problems remain, but ... starting with Generated files without source, that list is bogus as far as I can tell. As far as I know, all sources are available for 12many and (at a glance) the other packages in that list. What file in the 12many package do you think lacks source? Both the .sty and .pdf are generated from the .dtx. The page lists possible problems of Parabola GNU/Linux source packages of TeXLive (copied from Arch). Missing .dtx files and at least some missing licenses are problems made by Arch not packaging not needed for use files in their sources. It's not a problem in TeXLive as maintained by you. These packages are listed there since it should be fixed in Parabola (and maybe in other distros if they also don't include complete sources). The only items there which I know to not be specific to Arch-based distros are: - missing sources for some hyphenation patterns files (e.g. hyph-en-gb in the hyph-utf8 packages explicitly states that it's generated from an unpublished word list) - MeX license which can be interpreted to disallow selling or modification - ec contains code from MeX-licensed pl fonts, has a license considered nonfree by Red Hat, not sure if it's free with our definition (Parabola has also unrelated problem of not including the license file while it's required by the license) pgpQLlGeSw2kK.pgp Description: PGP signature
Re: [GNU-linux-libre] [Parabola] TeXLive auditing
- missing sources for some hyphenation patterns files (e.g. hyph-en-gb in the hyph-utf8 packages explicitly states that it's generated from an unpublished word list) Essentially all the hyphenation patterns were originally generated from wordlists that are not available. Including US English. Although I know it is suboptimal, it seems to me that the hyphenation patterns are themselves source. They can be understood and modified, on their own. Many of the hyphenation pattern files were in fact modified by hand from patgen's output. I believe there is an analogy with fonts. Many forever-regarded-as-free fonts have an upstream version; all of Adobe's and Bitstream's fonts, say, were certainly created with proprietary tools (Fontographer, Ikarus, whatever). But I think it is not wrong to consider the derived Type1's (or OTF's or whatever) as free, given their release under a free license. The fonts can be used, modified, etc., on their own, even though in a theoretical sense they are not the ultimate upstream source. Ditto hyphenation patterns. - MeX license which can be interpreted to disallow selling or modification - ec contains code from MeX-licensed pl fonts, has a license considered I will talk to the Poles about the MeX license. I doubt they will have a problem with switching to Knuth's current text or the LPPL or whatever. k
Re: [GNU-linux-libre] [Parabola] TeXLive auditing
Essentially all the hyphenation patterns were originally generated from wordlists that are not available. Including US English. Although I know it is suboptimal, it seems to me that the hyphenation patterns are themselves source. They can be understood and modified, on their own. Many of the hyphenation pattern files were in fact modified by hand from patgen's output. I don't know any other works for practical use than hyphenation patterns or fonts where generated files can be understood and modified, on their own. Thanks for the explanation. I believe there is an analogy with fonts. Many forever-regarded-as-free fonts have an upstream version; all of Adobe's and Bitstream's fonts, say, were certainly created with proprietary tools (Fontographer, Ikarus, whatever). But I think it is not wrong to consider the derived Type1's (or OTF's or whatever) as free, given their release under a free license. The fonts can be used, modified, etc., on their own, even though in a theoretical sense they are not the ultimate upstream source. Ditto hyphenation patterns. There is no problem if we define source as the most preferred for making changes to the work of the forms in which the work is available and is understandable. Probably this issue is too rare to need a more complex source definition. pgpoQGc49fUQa.pgp Description: PGP signature
Re: [GNU-linux-libre] [Parabola] TeXLive auditing
- MeX license which can be interpreted to disallow selling or modification if it is in public domain, it has no licence
