Hi, On Sat, Aug 22, 2020 at 5:56 PM Jim Hall <jh...@freedos.org> wrote: > > Thanks for the suggestion. I've had conversations with the FSF about getting > FreeDOS listed on their Free Non-GNU Distributions page. It's not going to > happen. > > The last time I discussed this with the FSF, the FSF Licensing rep responded > to say (paraphrasing) "But FreeDOS exists to prop up proprietary DOS > applications." > > I replied that there's no point in being a "Free DOS" if FreeDOS can't run > DOS programs. But the FSF's view seems to be that if FreeDOS aims to run > proprietary DOS programs, then FreeDOS is basically supporting/endorsing > proprietary software. They stopped responding to emails after that. > > Unfortunately, this is not the first time that's happened, so I've given up > trying to get FreeDOS listed on the FSF's page.
Despite lack of time currently, I've already emailed Jim about exactly this thing several years ago. They take issue with "promoting" non-Free software. That includes website links and documentation. And yes, FreeDOS is very spartan without "legacy" (which usually means proprietary). It doesn't mean you couldn't fork it, call it something else, and rebuild literally everything you need from scratch. You could remove legacy support and create some new interfaces and file formats instead, but overall it's pointless. The main point is just to rebuild literally everything you actively use from scratch with Free tools. (GNU does actually like "standards" that are widely known.) In theory, at least to me, that would mean something minimal like my MetaDOS mini-distro. I've never asked FSF, but it would still have to be improved. Still, IMHO, it's "close enough" to give anyone at FSF a glimpse of what is possible (if they're sympathetic at all). Overall, I don't think the DOS ecosystem is as important to them as a totally 100% Free/libre GNU/Linux. They probably have bigger fish to fry, and with things like ChromeOS (or even GNU/Hurd), it's probably not an optimal target. Unless somebody comes up with some cheap, widely-available x86 clone hardware for legacy (486-ish) gaming plus FreeDOS, using Free compilers (DJGPP or IA-16 ELF or Free Pascal or FreeBASIC or NASM or FASM). You'd need a Free BIOS, too. Bootstrapping is very hard work, and few are interested in it, see here: * https://www.gnu.org/software/mes/ I mean, DOS is still a fun hobby, and it's not wrong to target legacy APIs or file formats with new software. The main advantage is that it's well-documented and widely used already. The real disadvantage is that nobody cares enough to "clean it up". You could bundle the Doom engine (GPL) and Freedoom data (BSD), for instance, and rebuild all of that with Free tools (DJGPP + Allegro). Not to mention Links2 + suitable packet driver. But then you have to bootstrap the compilers themselves, which is harder than it sounds. Still, it would be fun to try to get something working. I just don't have the skills or energy to do it all myself, sadly. But perhaps FSF doesn't really want it anyways. "What's the point?" may be a self-defeating attitude for them. FreeDOS is great! > On Sat, Aug 22, 2020 at 5:19 PM haytam.fr--- via Freedos-user > <freedos-user@lists.sourceforge.net> wrote: >> >> I want to inform you about something kind of interesting , >> http://www.gnu.org/distros/free-non-gnu-distros.html visit this website , >> make sure the operating system FreeDOS does pass the guidelines , and send >> the email , Jim Hall the owner of the OS Should send the email there , _______________________________________________ Freedos-user mailing list Freedos-user@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/freedos-user
