Informing users that the directory doesn't review binaries. Was: [GNU-linux-libre] Criteria for Android applications

[Denis 'GNUtoo' Carikli]

On Mon, 4 Oct 2021 06:07:52 -0400
bill-auger <bill-auger@peers.community> wrote:

> On Mon, 4 Oct 2021 00:32:40 +0200 Denis wrote:
> > In that case we could just make it clear that the Free Software
> > Directory doesn't review binaries and point to gnu.org/distros for a
> > solution
> 
> yes, i think that would be important - im quite sure that the
> majority of people browsing the FSD are only interested in
> binaries, and do not realize that binaries do not necessarily
> correspond to their alleged sources, especially when compiled by
> a third-party, and that the FSD is not recommending to download
> _any_ binaries from the web

On the bottom of the main page there is the following text that comes
from the About_text template[1]:
> The Free Software Directory (FSD, or simply Directory) is a project
> of the Free Software Foundation (FSF). We catalog useful free
> software that runs under free GNU-like systems, not limited to the
> GNU operating system and its GNU/Linux variants. Many of those
> programs also runs on proprietary operating systems which can be used
> to replace nonfree software.
> 
> If you are looking for a full operating system for your computer,
> please see our list of free GNU/Linux distributions. 

I propose changing it to:
> The Free Software Directory (FSD, or simply Directory) is a project
> of the Free Software Foundation (FSF). We catalog useful free
> software that runs under free GNU-like systems, not limited to the
> GNU operating system and its GNU/Linux variants. Many of those
> programs also runs on proprietary operating systems which can be used
> to replace nonfree software.
>
> While we do review the licenses of the source code of the software we
> catalog, we don't review any of the binaries releases ; For instance
> if an application is also available on Apple's Appstore, the binary
> distributed through it will not be free software as Apple imposes
> to its users restrictions that are incompatible with free software.
>
> If you are looking for a full operating system for your computer, or
> if you want to run free software applications, please see our list
> of free GNU/Linux distributions.

References:
-----------
[1]https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Template:About_text

Denis.

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