[clug] Free Ubuntu?

Robert Edwards bob at cs.anu.edu.au
Mon Nov 20 01:11:11 GMT 2006


Hey Chris,

I think that Kororaa did the right (and brave) thing in removing the
non-free drivers from the distribution CD.

But I don't think that Canonical/Ubuntu can realistically "force"
nVidia or ATI to open up their driver source code. But they should
follow your lead and leave the non-free stuff off of the distribution
CDs (or DVDs).

Then it is up to individuals to decide if they want to download the
non-free stuff from other sites, or not.

If nVidia or ATI decide they are losing sales because people are
choosing Intel (or whatever) over their graphics products, then they
may revisit the open-sourcedness of their drivers. Somehow, I think
this is still a long way off.

Cheers,

Bob Edwards.

Chris Smart wrote:
> Hey all, let's argue about something other than broadband speeds! :)
> 
> Having just gone through this issue myself with Kororaa
> (http://kororaa.org/static.php?page=gpl), I'm interested in people's
> thoughts on Ubuntu using non-free drivers in their feisty next release?
> 
> Doesn't this go against their own philosophy?
> (http://www.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/philosophy)
> "1. Every computer user should have the freedom to run, copy,
> distribute, study, share, change and improve their software for any
> purpose, without paying licensing fees."
> You can't do that with non-free drivers..
> 
> And, "For Ubuntu, the "free" in "free software" is used primarily in
> reference to freedom and not to price - although we are committed to not
> charging for Ubuntu." Stay tuned, that might change next ;)
> 
> All of a sudden gNewSense seems to make more sense..
> 
> I wish someone like Ubuntu/Canonical would stand up to closed source
> software and help to force vendors like nvidia and ati to release open
> source drivers. Maybe the Samba team could CC that letter for Novell to
> Canonical too? :)
> 
> What are your thoughts?
> 
> -c
> 
> 



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