Re: Parted 1.6.21

[Andrew Clausen]

On Tue, Jan 18, 2005 at 11:40:40AM -0500, Mathieu Bruneau wrote:
> I added that information as well. A few time ago Sven asked for links to 
> different distribution's parted package but as for the gnu website I'm 
> not supposed to link to any page containing non-free software. So 
> most(if not all) distribution links are "not welcome" on gnu.org page.

Fortunately, this is incorrect on several levels:
 * Debian's "Parted package page" contains no references to non-free
software.  Even if Microsoft itself had a useful, relevant free software
project, we could (and should!) link to it, and promote it.
        We should evaluate organizations' actions independently.  The
GNU project clearly supports this perspective.  For example, Richard
Stallman said in an interview at

        http://www.brunotorres.net/en/interviews/richard-stallman

        "IBM and Sun have contributed to free software in substantial
        ways, but they also often encourage people to use GNU/Linux with
        non-free software. For instance, Sun contributed OpenOffice,
        which is very important, but it also encourages people to use
        the non-free Java platform.

        I think that we should judge and comment separately on each
        activity of such companies, rather than trying to add them up to
        make some total evaluation of the company. We should thank them
        for what they do that contributes to freedom, and criticize when
        they trample freedom."

 * a link is different to a recommendation.  Parted is a program that
is fundamentally about compatability.  When we advise users how to get
GNU/Linux to coexist with Windows, we are not promoting Windows!
Rather, we are promoting free software to non-free software users.
Therefore, it is well within the GNU guidelines to link to Microsoft's
knowledge base articles on how to fix Windows problems, if they are
relevant to getting GNU/Linux to coexist with Windows.

Cheers,
Andrew