I totally agree with you in that point. Every Gnu/Linux Only Free
Distributions are based on others Distributions that support and propose
non-free software (in the installation of by activating it on the
repositories).
Comparing a distribution like Trisquel to Linux Mint allows us to understand
the ethical vs commercial problem. The two are based upon the same base
(Ubuntu) but one has only one person managing it and not working full time on
it (Trisquel) and the other have a lot of donations, sponsors, users and
full-time working programmers and designers (Linux Mint). So in my mind, the
only person that could do a total new Gnu/Linux Distribution would be the FSF
themselves, but this isn't going to happen soon.
The best idea in my opinion would be to use (at least for start) a common
Base (like Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian or Arch) and simply make it totally
independent. And by this I mean more independent that Trisquel, with a new
Release Schedule with different packages and a new way of managing things
etc... Yes this would be a lot of work but at least we (Free Software Users)
would have a totally independent and well maintain Distribution that could
clearly compete with others Distributions like Ubuntu for example.
Why can't we have something with dedicated designers, dedicated programmers,
dedicated conferences etc... ? Yes we have the lack of human power and money
but I think that an idea like this could work. I can be wrong tho... I am
trying to fallow this myself and create my own totally free distribution, but
I am searching for the best base to adopt and then change in order to create
something totally different, just don't know what base choose (Debian/Ubuntu
or Arch).. But that's another question.
