Re: [DotGNU]The most Free distributions

[S11001001]

Hello Mr Carrera;

Daniel Carrera wrote:
> "Today all the commercial packagers of GNU/Linux add non-free software.
> Several of them--with the notable exception of Red Hat and
> Mandrake--develop non-free software to add to GNU/Linux."
>
>
> I take this as an endoresment of Red Hat and Mandrake.  This makes me
> happy because they also happen to be the distributions I like best.

He said "commercial"...this excludes non-commercial distributions, such 
as Debian GNU/Linux.

Debian is the most FS-friendly of *all* the distros; they say "free 
software" as in the Debian Free Software Guidelines, and "Debian 
GNU/Linux" *is* the official and regularly-used name. All software in 
Debian must meet the guidelines.

Also they have an unstable GNU/Hurd version of Debian :)

An interesting little bit of history of Debian: upon Murdock's initial 
announcement, RMS took an interest, and Debian and the FSF agreed to 
work closely together, including distribution by the FSF. The FSF 
requested that the distribution be called "GNU/Linux;" I believe this is 
why the term was invented. After Perens took over, he broke from the 
FSF, but retained the promise to only release Free Software and to use 
the term GNU/Linux.

Don't take my word for it, read chapter 10 at <http://www.faifzilla.org>

> I also understand that the download editions of these distributions are
> all-free software.  Is that correct?

I know that Mandrake offers non-free software trials & such, but these 
are on a separate CD, therefore probably separate ISO.

--
Stephen Compall
DotGNU `Contributor' -- http://www.dotgnu.org

It read like a socialist polemic, but I saw something different. I
saw a business plan in disguise.
        -- Michael Tiemann, co-founder of Cygnus Support, on the
        GNU Manifesto