Re: [GNU-linux-libre] programs which only use-case is non-free Was: Adding some scummvm
On Tue, 25 Apr 2023 23:36:34 -0400 bill-auger wrote: > this is one of those FSDG grey-areas, for which it would be good to > have some consensus It sounds like what you're talking about his how to handle distro-specific packaging decisions. It's important to note that the FSDG doesn't seem to prevent distro maintainers from adopting an even broader interpretation of "steering users to nonfree software" than what the FSDG might require, nor does it seem to require distro maintainers to include any software that they don't wish to, for whatever reason they don't wish to, even if it would be permissible under the FSDG, so they'll still be able to exclude such software regardless. pgprurHBMuXRA.pgp Description: OpenPGP digital signature
Re: [GNU-linux-libre] programs which only use-case is non-free Was: Adding some scummvm
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
Re: [GNU-linux-libre] Adding some scummvm game(s) to the "List of software that does not respect the Free System Distribution Guidelines".
On Tue, 25 Apr 2023 21:32:07 -0400 Richard wrote: > [[[ To any NSA and FBI agents reading my email: please consider]]] > [[[ whether defending the US Constitution against all enemies, ]]] > [[[ foreign or domestic, requires you to follow Snowden's example. ]]] > > > > Is it clear yet whether scummvm itself is unacceptable > > > in and of itself? > > > that was my assumption - many years ago, debian reviewed and approved the > game > > machine and all of the mentioned games > > I am confused here. What, exactly, "was your assumption"? > > From the info you provided, it looks like scummvm IS free. > Do you agree with that? yes, that the game engine is libre; but the games mentioned in the OP all have the "no-selling" license just to note that those four games are the only known to exist which are not totally proprietary - without those, distros would likely stop distributing the game engine also; so its a "package deal" really
Re: [GNU-linux-libre] Adding some scummvm game(s) to the "List of software that does not respect the Free System Distribution Guidelines".
[[[ To any NSA and FBI agents reading my email: please consider]]] [[[ whether defending the US Constitution against all enemies, ]]] [[[ foreign or domestic, requires you to follow Snowden's example. ]]] > > Is it clear yet whether scummvm itself is unacceptable > > in and of itself? > that was my assumption - many years ago, debian reviewed and approved the game > machine and all of the mentioned games I am confused here. What, exactly, "was your assumption"? >From the info you provided, it looks like scummvm IS free. Do you agree with that? -- Dr Richard Stallman (https://stallman.org) Chief GNUisance of the GNU Project (https://gnu.org) Founder, Free Software Foundation (https://fsf.org) Internet Hall-of-Famer (https://internethalloffame.org)
