Re: Non-free and free.

[Micah Yoder <yoderm@geocities.com>]

Rick Jones wrote:

>         As far as portions of non-free software that *can* be distributed for
> running apps without any hitches, as if they *are free*, such as the QT
> libs, they can and should be included in the base distro.  *CAVEAT*:

Good.  That is EXACTLY how I wanted to see it!  :-)

> After we are assured that the libs themselves are basically in a free
> status when distributed for compatability with existing software rather
> than as mandatory for some other software that is in base.

Definitely.  No essential software should depend on anything non-GPL.

Now, what about Netscape?  Since it is now free, it would make sense to
distribute it.  But do we make it an integral part of the distro?  How
integrated is it?  Should we still push for Mnemonic and Gzilla? 
Probably so.

> Does it sound acceptable to include such pre-compiled libs in base?  Can
> we set down some guildlines and make it so?

We pretty much did.  Non-GPL libs and programs are only included if:

1.  They can be included freely, no strings attached
2.  All software using them is totally free, no strings attached
3.  Such libs do not control any of the "core" or other essential
functionality of SEUL.

Sound good?????


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