RMS, Free software and the Ubuntu CDs

[Adriano Varoli Piazza]

2006/7/1, Daniel Carrera <daniel.carrera at zmsl.com>:
> 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.

This is the package in question (I don't claim it's the only one, just
that it's the one I found):
http://packages.ubuntu.com/dapper/x11/xserver-xorg-driver-nv

and this is its copyright file:
http://changelogs.ubuntu.com/changelogs/pool/main/x/xserver-xorg-driver-nv/xserver-xorg-driver-nv_1.0.1.5-0ubuntu4/xserver-xorg-driver-nv.copyright

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Adriano Varoli Piazza
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