Alfred M. Szmidt wrote: > > (d) And even this one, in some forms, is not really free as > > MJR has reminded us. (According to RMS in > > http://www.ofb.biz/modules.php?name=News&file=print&sid=353, > > "To use Firefox as free software, you have to build it > > yourself from the source code." > > > > What he means is that the binaries as distributed by Mozilla are > > not-free (they include a non-free bug reporting tool). Ututo-e > > for example contains a Firefox, you don't need to compile that > > your self. > > Even assuming that build is really free (which would contradict > RMS's statement, when read strictly, but I can't comment on it > myself ATM); > > I don't see why it would.
He said you *have* to build it from source, without mentioning the possibility of getting a version built from source via other routes. This might imply that such distribution is illegal (as would be the case, e.g., with a GPL program requiring a non-GPL-compatible library; you can build it and use it yourself, but you can't distribute the binary at all). As I said, this is reading the statement strictly, but considering that RMS is not entirely unfamiliar with such fine distinctions, one could come to this conclusion. > One of the many reasons why GNUzilla and IceWeasel exists, > http://www.gnu.org/s/gnuzilla/. That page also briefly explains the > other problems with Firefox (even if you compile it from source, it > can install non-free plugins). It's good they exist, but it's not really a reason for the web site requiring Firefox. In fact, if this requirement was because of freedom (and not accidental due to the site's implementation, as I suppose), they would probably require IceWeasel right away (or some other free browser). Ward Vandewege wrote: > For the record, I've tested: > > Firefox > Konqueror > Safari (on OS X) > > All of these browsers work. Nobody doubts that these browsers work (-; you know, in a discussion with Alfred M. Szmidt you have to be very careful about your choice of words), but the comments page doesn't. I just tried with Konqueror (as installed in Knoppix 4.0.2) -- it shows the colours, but when I press "c" after marking some text, nothing happens. MJR has reported that it doesn't even work with Firefox when changing the name string. Frank -- Frank Heckenbach, [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://fjf.gnu.de/ GnuPG and PGP keys: http://fjf.gnu.de/plan (7977168E) _______________________________________________ Discussion mailing list [email protected] https://mail.fsfeurope.org/mailman/listinfo/discussion
