A Mennucc <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Ideally, mplayer should have entered Debian some two years ago. This is > not an ideal world. In this real world, mplayer is not in the archive, > and my first priority is getting it in there. [...]
OK, back to priority one: copyright-wise, your package looks like free software. Matthew Garrett has given an explanation which I accept, but I'd be more comfortable if someone gives a clearer precedent for it, a downloader for software under a restrictive copyright licence. Unfortunately, I think you need to follow the Developer's Reference section 6.7.8.2 on "Repackaged upstream source" and I think you should be more sparing in deleting TOOLS, before this package should be uploaded. > keeping the whole mplayer out of Debian is a MAJOR disservice to our > users; yet nobody (who is in charge of anything) in Debian is caring Then I think you are part of the disservice by starting unnecessary flamewars with other developers. [...] > If mplayer is so free, so why is it sooooo darn difficult to have it in > Debian??? mplayer seems to be a "tinderbox": Anyone who has prolongued exposure to it gets frustrated by the legal grey areas and its history, so they start flaming innocent bystanders for being wary. This writes new chapters of bad history and "dries the tinder" more. Users and other developers are wary of mplayer because of this history, so probably treat it differently to other packages, increasing the frustration of the developer and thereby helping to start the flames. Sometimes they try to be kind while being wary, which makes the flames hurt more. I hope that's enough of a "why". I don't know if it's true for everyone, but it's how I see it. I don't think you should send emails that seem to suggest other contributors aren't living in the real world or that they want to hurt users when you're holding a tinderbox. -- MJR/slef http://people.debian.org/~mjr/ -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
