[libreplanet-discuss] A new distrbution of Free Software for WIndows

[Alexey Eromenko]

Hi Fellow Free Software Activists !

In recent times, quality FOSS distro for Windows remains to be found...
Back in 2003 there was a wonderful Open-Source project, named
'TheOpenCD', that really bring people into a community.
Now it's discontinued. And no high-quality successors exist.

It gave users a small collection of high-quality user-friendly
Windows-native FOSS (with OSI-approved licesnes), plus some
philosophical items,
such as:
a. The Cathedral and the Bazaar Book
b. Revolution OS movie trailer. (movie itself seems to be Free now,
and in fact it is in 'Google Videos' collection)

I miss this project dearly, and decided to start a fork.
I named it 'TheOpenDVD', only to discover, that it violates a
trademark of another Italian project, TheOpenDVD.it.
It means that I have to re-brand it.
I think about the rebranding it into 'Free Software' though, and
follow the same ideals + add GNU philosophical materials.
In addition to FOSS for Windows and FOSS Philosophy, I want to push
forward the concept of Open Formats
(HTML/PDF/OpenDocument/OGG/WebM/...)
Changing Linux -> GNU/Linux and OSI-approved to FSF-approved licenses
should not cause too much trouble...
------------------------------------------------------------
I have put together a BETA version of my project, TheOpenDVD 0.9.0, 650 MB:
http://www.yousendit.com/download/YTY4ek9wMHd3NUt4dnc9PQ
------------------------------------------------------------
FOSS, that we include:
a.1. DONE: LibO + sources
a.2. DONE: GIMP + sources
a.3. DONE: blender +sources

b.1. DONE: FFox + sources
b.2. DONE: Filezilla +sources
b.3. : Tight VNC+ sources
b.4.  WinHTTrack+ sources
b.5.  PuTTY+ sources

c.1. DONE: Audacity +sources
c.2.  CDex+ sources
c.3.  Games (CrackAttack and YASC)+ sources
c.3.a.  TuxRacer +sources (BROKEN, need to refresh installer)
c.4.  Celestia+ sources
c.5.  ReallySlick+ sources

d.1. DONE: 7-zip +sources
d.2.  scite +sources
d.3. DONE: VirtualBox +sources

We keep the collection small, to ensure quality and relevance for the
Windows crowd, for the Home users.

Some issues:
1. Unfortunately I don't have enough resources to maintain more Free
versions, such as 'GNU IceCat'.
2. LibreOffice works, but constantly complains about lack of Java.
3. Is there any free Java out there for Windows? I found non-Free version:
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/terms/license/index.html
-----

General questions:
1. Will you be interested in such a project ?
2. Are you seeing the value of educating Windows crowd the values of
Free Software ?
3. Will you help me to market it, upon completion ?
4. What are the requirements to market it as Free Software ?
5. What are the requirements to market it as a GNU project ?
6. Are there any other Free Software mailing-lists, that I should
consider speaking with ?

-- 
-Alexey Eromenko "Technologov"