Re: The problem on the foundation front page

[Behdad Esfahbod <behdad behdad org>]

On Wed, 2007-11-14 at 08:17 +0000, Sergey Udaltsov wrote:
> Behdad,

Hi Sergey,

> First of all, I am sorry for using the wrong list. But I thought that
> position expressed the views of the Foundation, so the Foundation
> should be aware...

Well, almost everything in GNOME expresses the views of the Foundation,
but we don't go to the membership for every simple decision.


> > I think that sentence is very accurate.  And it doesn't state them as
> > synonyms, no.  It's the same as "GNU/Linux (commonly referred to as
> > Linux)" you find on http://www.gnome.org/about/.  The first term is the
> > preferred/correct one while the one in brackets helps connecting a
> > phrase familiar to many people.  I personally don't have any problem
> > with either one.
> I think it is entirely against the spirit of Free Software (the way
> RMS usually represents it).

Note that not every GNOME contributor / foundation member agrees with
that view.  There are many people that don't think we need to emphasize
the freedom to compete with other desktop projects.  I think the
foundation as an entity should focus on what it's supposed to do.
According to [1]:

        [T]he Foundation will coordinate releases of GNOME and determine
        which projects are part of GNOME. The Foundation will act as an
        official voice for the GNOME project, providing a means of
        communication with the press and with commercial and
        noncommercial organizations interested in GNOME software. The
        foundation may produce educational materials and documentation
        to help the public learn about GNOME software. In addition, it
        may sponsor GNOME-related technical conferences, and represent
        GNOME at relevant conferences sponsored by others, help create
        technical standards for the project and promote the use and
        development of GNOME software.

[1] http://foundation.gnome.org/

> Instead of emphasysing the difference
> between ethics of freedom - and just development model - that sentence
> implicitly removes that difference - and shows that for GNOME that
> difference does not matter.

I think you are reading too much into it.  It's just the front page
after all.  There's no room to make a point about Free Software vs Open
Source difference right there.

> If it IS the case - GNOME probably should
> take the first letter in the name off (and pull out of the GNU
> Project).

FWIW, GNOME can just be renamed to "Gnome Network Object Model
Environment".  As for pulling out of GNU, I don't think anyone sees much
problem doing that.

Don't get me wrong.  I'm a huge supporter of GNU, and am in good
relations with FSF, maintain a couple GNU packages, and am an associate
member.  What I'm saying is that GNOME being part of GNU is symbolic at
best.  Neither project uses resources from the other one or anything.  I
don't see any point breaking that symbolic relation for something as
simple as the original issue you raised.

> If it is not - the difference should be articulated, don't
> you think? I know, that mistake (FS ~= OSS) is made my many uneducated
> people. But we in GNOME are educated about these things, aren't we?

Just to get it out of the way, I suggest rewording to... Umm, was going
to suggest something like "GNOME is Free Software and developed as Open
Source" or something, but checking front page right now, seems like
someone already removed that sentence for good.

Done.

There's still the "Linux" vs "GNU/Linux" issue remaining.  I said I fix
that this weekend.

> Regards,
> 
> Sergey
-- 
behdad
http://behdad.org/

"Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little
 Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
        -- Benjamin Franklin, 1759