MEPIS may be going Ubuntu

[Benj. Mako Hill]

<quote who="Randy Gloden" date="Sat, Feb 11, 2006 at 12:11:14AM -0600">
> However, when I hand out a Ubuntu CD for others to install on their
> own, I will inevitablly hear back that much of the functionality
> that they take for granted from their Redmondsoft installs is
> missing.  They want to play DVDs, mp3, and expect to surf the net
> and have most multimedia element function correctly.  (The Dells of
> the world are shipping WinDVD/PowerDVD like mad) These people don't
> want to hear a sermon on the higher principles associated with free
> software.

Nobody is shipping sermons along with Ubuntu. Far from it. Ubuntu
includes binary drivers on the install CDs and includes other non-free
software in the repositories accessible with a simple adult choice to
install from them.

Many people want to know *why* Ubuntu doesn't ship certain pieces of
software and the website and wiki reflect this and try to explain the
philosophical and legal reasons behind the decision. People also want
to know how to use these non-free tools and the wiki, forums, and such
also explain how to do this.

You call for some sort of compromises that make Ubuntu usable. In
reality, you want it to be *more* usable for one class of uses that
require non-free software. In fact, Ubuntu is built on a set of
compromises that challenge the principles of many people involved in
the project and that not everyone is comfortable with.

> Perhaps Mepis serves that niche, gathering from the strength of Ubuntu, 
> yet braving the waters that pose to great a risk to this community.

That may be the case.

It's perhaps worth noting that the only reason MEPIS can build on
Ubuntu -- and make the project stronger in the process -- is because
Ubuntu made the choice to create a completely free base that others
could take, repurpose and rebuild with any extra permission. The same
will not be true for anyone hoping to make a derivative of MEPIS.

Regards,
Mako


-- 
Benjamin Mako Hill
mako at ubuntu.com
http://mako.cc

Creativity can be a social contribution, but only in so
far as society is free to use the results. --RMS