Re: Dependence on nonfree software

[Christopher Dimech]

For software intended to run on servers, the Gnu Affero GPL must be a 
requirement.
Otherwise it will break Freedom 1.

---------------------
Christopher Dimech
General Administrator - Naiad Informatics - GNU Project (Geocomputation)
- Geophysical Simulation
- Geological Subsurface Mapping
- Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation
- Natural Resource Exploration and Production
- Free Software Advocacy


> Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at 6:13 PM
> From: "Alfred M. Szmidt" <ams@gnu.org>
> To: rms@gnu.org
> Cc: savannah-hackers@gnu.org
> Subject: Re: Dependence on nonfree software
>
>    So I think the Savannah hosting rules need to be modified
>    to say that the criterion is about nonfree software to be run
>    on the user's own computers, and that it does not apply to
>    communication with services run by other people or entities.
>
>    Would someone like to work on a draft of this change?
>
> From reading the requirements, I think it is already clear that
> requirement is for software running on your machine, is it not?
>
>   No dependencies on nonfree software
>
>   To be hosted on Savannah, your project must be free software, and it
>   must be kept independent of any nonfree software.  The package must
>   not refer the user to any nonfree software; in other words, it must
>   not say anything that in our judgment is likely to lead or steer
>   users towards any nonfree software.  In particular, it must not
>   automatically download or install any nonfree software.  For more
>   info, see References to Non-Free Software and Documentation in the
>   GNU Coding Standards.
>
>   The program should deliver its full functionality and convenience on
>   a completely free platform based on a free operating system, such as
>   GNU/Linux, working entirely with other free software.  Otherwise, it
>   would be an inducement to install nonfree operating systems or other
>   nonfree software.
>
>   It is ok for the program to run on nonfree platforms or nonfree
>   operating systems, and to work with well-known nonfree applications,
>   in addition to working with free software, provided it gives the
>   free software at least as good support as it gives to nonfree
>   counterparts.  In other words, at no time, in no way, should your
>   program put free software users at a disadvantage compared to those
>   willing to use proprietary software.
>
>