Re: FSF's role in GNOME (was Re: Fwd: Questions for the board election candidates)

[Brian Cameron <brian cameron oracle com>]

On 05/22/12 01:45 PM, Bradley M. Kuhn wrote:
> As most on this list know, I've been the GNOME Advisory Board as FSF's
> representative for the last decade.  Since, as a non-profit, FSF receives
> Advisory Board membership with no fees, I've always felt it was right to
> "give back" in volunteer time (instead of cash [0]) to GNOME.  In that
> capacity, I've done a number of things to help GNOME.

Thanks, Bradley, you and the FSF have done a lot.  There would not be a
GNOME Women's Outreach program if not for the FSF, for example.

> Here are a few examples from just the last two years:
>
>    * Answered numerous licensing questions from GNOME developers on a
>      regular basis.
>
>    * Assisted in the hiring of a sysadmin position, helped recruit the
>      current GNOME Foundation Executive Director, and participated in the
>      hiring committee for the Executive Director position.
>
>    * Co-drafted GNOME's Copyright Policies, at the request of GNOME
>      Foundation's Board:
>           http://live.gnome.org/CopyrightAssignment
>           http://live.gnome.org/CopyrightAssignment/Guidelines
>
> I do volunteer work like this because FSF wants to help GNOME.  I do it in
> the spirit of goodwill and affiliation among the two organizations.
>
> Obviously, if GNOME's new Board takes a policy to sever its association
> with FSF, I'd be presumably kicked off the Advisory Board and would cease
> my ongoing volunteer work for GNOME that I do on behalf of FSF.

Considering the Executive Director of GNOME is from the SFLC, it seems
rather unlikely that any such severing would even be possible.

> I suppose
> if you feel these contributions above have tarnished GNOME's image, then
> that would make sense.  However, I think even that small list of recent
> contributions alone shows that GNOME *does* receive direct, valuable
> benefits from FSF, in addition to other intangible benefits that I think
> are useful.

I'd hardly say that you, Bradley, are the only person who values the FSF
who also contributes to GNOME.

> GNOME project was founded as part of GNU precisely because GNOME was the
> Free Software desktop project most dedicated to the principles of software
> freedom that FSF has championed.  I have always felt the two organizations
> -- despite some personal conflicts that might occur among leaders in the
> two organizations -- were kindred spirits in this regard.  I hope the new
> GNOME Foundation Board will continue that tradition.

I do as well.  As you say, GNOME and the FSF do sometimes disagree on
specific things.  But, it is healthy for organizations to be able to
disagree on points, I think.

I guess I do not see what would be accomplished by severing ties with
the FSF.  It hasn't seemed like there has been really that much tension
between GNOME and the FSF lately.

Brian