RMS, Free software and the Ubuntu CDs

[Daniel Carrera]

On Sat, 2006-01-07 at 10:23 +0200, Adriano Varoli Piazza wrote:
> After browsing through the thread on GPL compliance and seeing this:
> http://thomas.apestaart.org/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=14498
> I have to ask: is Ubuntu actually including non-free software on the
> CDs (the nvidia/ati/intel wifi drivers)?
> 
> Browsing through the package list, I could only find free software and
> an nvidia module that was freely redistributable (albeit under its own
> license). So I wondered why would RMS write that on the Shipit CD.

If Ubuntu includes an nvidia module that is freely redistributable but
does not allow you to see the source code, then that module is not "free
software". Having the source code is a cornerstone of free software.

Personally, I think that if this is the only non-free software in
Ubuntu, then Ubuntu is doing pretty well. I admit I have mixed feelings
about this. I /would/ like 100% free software, but am I willing to
settle for 99.999% free software in order to get Ubuntu onto the masses?
Well... yes... I am...  At some point you have to start being strategic
about this. It's better to have 1 million people using 99.99% free
software than having a thousand people using 100% free software.

Cheers,
Daniel.
-- 
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  unreasonable man tries to adapt the world to himself.
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