Norbert Nemec wrote: > > Guess, that idea already has been discussed and ruled out, but still I think > it may serve better: > > Why not put some kind of a sign on every non-free package, instead of moving > those packages anywhere? There is a number of ways that could be done > - something in the name of the package > - a message when installing the package > - something that shows up clearly in dselect/apt
My own opinion is that the best would be to keep the current splitting of the packages (main, non-free and contrib), but add these: - as suggested, a file that briefly explain why package is in non-free - same stuff added to the description of the package Contrib shouldn't go in main for a very simple reason: all those packages will not install because of missing dependencies. There are already a lot of packages that overwhelms the newcommer. I used to lose a lot of time when I was installing for the first time a Debian, only because of browsing our packages. And if we drop the dependencies, we will look exactly like RH: we will have a bunch of packages that installs and then don't work. If we want to promote the free stuff, then apt/dselect should have by default only the main in them. The docos should say how you can add non-free and contrib if this is what user want. If somebody chooses to add them, then it is their wish and discussion stops here. I use some packages from non-free because I do not have something else better of even close to what I use (the most important one is Netscape; I like it and I don't find anything else comparable at this moment. It is a matter of taste, but I done my choice when I was sober, I assure you.). And because I comply with the terms of licencing. What's wrong with that ? I'm not a monster for this and I do not want to see those packages removed from debian. I do my packages which goes to main and I have my own stuff which is GPL or LGPL. Isn't this enough to show that I believe in free software and support it ? Also, it looks like we are forgeting something: only the root can install/remove packages. The root is expected to read something before starting managing the system. If the root decides to include non-free it would be a conscient act. It will be done knowing what this is implying. If you browse the ftp or www for packages by hand (are newbyes doing this ? I doubt ...) you'll see very clear that you are on a non-free or contrib branch. If this is not enough, add a .README file to every directory that signals that you are in non-free area. This should be enough. Ionutz
