Re: GNOME now

[Richard Stallman <rms gnu org>]

     WHY are we doing GNOME?

The reason we started GNOME is to make it possible to have a graphical
desktop without nonfree software.  KDE existed, but had a fatal flaw:
it depended on Qt which at the time was nonfree.

    Who are we selling it to?

The question is important but the word "selling" is an unfortunate
way of stating it.

We're not _selling_ GNOME to anyone.  This is not a business activity
aiming above all for profit.  It is something much more important: a
campaign for freedom.

The real questions are, who are we hoping will decide to use GNOME 3?
By what path will it get into the hands of the people it is intended
to be good for?

A desktop meant for non-wizards on a mobile machine can achieve
success only through wide use of GNU/Linux distros on mobile machines.
I think that when some distros aim for that, they might decide GNOME 3
is what they want.  But distros not aiming for that goal are not
likely to choose the corresponding means.

    Well, we sometimes say it's for "everyone", but that's just not
    true. If it was for everyone, we wouldn't require OpenGL and spend
    our time on bringing GNOME 2 to mobile phones instead of
    reinventing the one thing we were good at (the Linux desktop).

Linux is a kernel.  Linux has no user interfaces; they are part
of the GNU operating system, within which Linux is often used.
See http://www.gnu.org/gnu/the-gnu-project.html.

People often talk about GNU and call it "Linux", which is an error.
It's not completely clear, but the words I cited above suggest that
error.  Since it works against the GNU Project (including GNOME),
would you please make the effort to say "GNU/Linux desktop"?

Anyway, if we want to give freedom to lots of users, it is clear we
need to support mobile computers and do a good job for them.  Thus,
the basic goal of GNOME 3 is an important one, even a necessary one.

    First: Watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp0HIF3SfI4 so you know what I'm
    going to reference.

Accessing youtube.com through a browser requires running nonfree
software (either Flash Player or some nonfree Javascript).  Since he
purpose of GNOME is to help free software replace nonfree software,
when you refer people to a youtube video would you please recommend a
free download script people can use to view it without running nonfree
software?

-- 
Dr Richard Stallman
President, Free Software Foundation
51 Franklin St
Boston MA 02110
USA
www.fsf.org  www.gnu.org
Skype: No way! That's nonfree (freedom-denying) software.
  Use Ekiga or an ordinary phone call