On 16 Jan, Tim Fenn wrote:
> Ipso facto, stuff like CCP4 doesn't 
> qualify as FOSS to the FSF/OSI community (and therefore, most linux 
> distributions won't touch it 

This is key to answering the problem that William brought up.  CCP4 does
not qualify as free software according to the definition of FSF.  This
is one reason why it is not included in GNU/Linux distros or
GNU-darwin.  The other reason is that such freedom of distribution is
not allowed by the CCP4 license itself, so that we have a convergence
and agreement. Although CCP4 is not free software, because it does not
satisfy one of the four requirements of free software definition, it
does meet the more inclusive definition of FOSS that I have put
forward.  Strictly adherent free software also meets the definition of
FOSS, as do the non-commercial projects like POV-ray, so that we can
come together with public access activists on our common ground to
put forward the laudable goals of freedom, openness, and public access.

Regards,
Michael L. Love Ph.D
Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry
School of Medicine
Johns Hopkins University
725 N. Wolfe Street
Room 608B WBSB
Baltimore MD 21205-2185

Interoffice Mail: 608B WBSB, SoM

office: 410-614-2267
lab:    410-614-3179
fax:    410-502-6910
cell:   443-824-3451
http://www.gnu-darwin.org/



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