Why companies don't support Debian (LinuxWatch)

Posted Feb 1, 2008 0:12 UTC (Fri) by N0NB (guest, #3407)
Parent article: Why companies don't support Debian (LinuxWatch)

I will do my best to be civil.

This is probably the most mis-informed article I have read in some time. And it comes from
someone who I thought understood his topic matter. I guess I was mistaken.

As a long time user of Debian and not a developer or maintainer, I can say with confidence
that from where I sit Debian is not unfriendly toward corporations or other organizations, but
is unfriendly toward anyone who intends to restrict the freedom of us, the users. The author
uses as one of his skewed examples the Firefox issue. The fact is that the Mozilla Foundation
licensed their artwork in such a way that it is in conflict with the Debian Free Software
Guidelines. An amicable agreement could not be reached regarding the licensing impasse with
the result that Iceweasel was created to protect the freedom of us, the users.

It really wasn't the first choice of the Debian developers to do it this way. The Mozilla
Foundation left the project no other choice if the browser code was to remain in the Main
Debian release and the project would continue to adhere to its core principles. (In fact, the
Mozilla Foundation has certain restrictions on the use of the name FireFox, as I understand
it, which also conflict with the DFSG.)

This is the point the author consistently missed while he tried to build a case against the
Debian developers' alleged hostilities toward corporate entities (never mind the fact that the
majority of Debian Developers that I'm aware of have some means of gainful employment), that
first and foremost on the minds and in the actions of the Debian developers is the protection
of the software freedoms outlined by the Debian Free Software Guidelines for both themselves
and us, the Debian users.

With the list of Linux distributions known by Distrowatch, Steven, don't you think there is
room for just one that values software freedom above corporate expediency? Evidently not.

Leave Debian alone. It's just fine as it is.

P.S. Perhaps the author should look up Software in the Public Interest at
http://www.spi-inc.org/ if he would like to make a hardware or monetary donation to Debian.

Why companies don't support Debian (LinuxWatch)

Posted Feb 1, 2008 10:47 UTC (Fri) by slef (guest, #14720) [Link] (1 responses)

You thought SJVN understood the subject?  Where have you been?
http://lists.debian.org/debian-project/2007/04/msg00051.html

It is disappointing that LWN posted this article and didn't mention that it was by SJVN.  He
links his other (usually misinformed, nearly always biased) articles to support his case.  He
cites dunc-tank at least twice, in different ways, without making it clear that DWN is
dunc-tank-related.  Those should have been a big warning flag that this isn't LWN-quality!

Then there's the factual mistakes, AFAIK: I do have access to new hardware, usually as soon as
it's linked to db.debian.org; Google donates to SPI not the DPL; I think we had a working
agreement with Mozilla Foundation, which Mozilla *Corporation* then revoked.  Again, signs
this shouldn't be in LWN.

So, LWN: please label SJVNgrams clearly in future!

Why companies don't support Debian (LinuxWatch)

Posted Feb 1, 2008 12:05 UTC (Fri) by N0NB (guest, #3407) [Link]

Given the date of your linked message, at that time I was spending much time on motorcycle
related sites and not Linux or Debian related sites.  So, I plead "other interests" as far as
SJVN is concerned.

Thanks for providing info on his continued troll status.