Re: [GNU-linux-libre] Uruk GNU/Linux evaluation

[Jaromil]

On Sun, 26 Jun 2016, Ineiev wrote:

> On Sun, Jun 26, 2016 at 02:44:23PM +0200, Jaromil wrote:
> >
> > On Fri, 24 Jun 2016, Ineiev wrote:
> >
> > > So far, we identified an issue with distribution channels: Uruk
> > > GNU/Linux has no its own repositories; Ali suggested some solution,
> > > but I'm not sure whether it's acceptable; I hope Ali will explain it
> > > here.
> >
> > can you explain why it should be an issue for an 100% free distro to
> > not have its own repositories?
> 
> The distro must be able to fix bugs in its packages; when they use other
> people's repositories (which is the case for Uruk GNU/Linux) they
> effectively can't do this (not directly).

ok, but this is not a condition that is directly related to being 100%
free. it is a (debatable) concern on quality assurance that has
nothing to do with being 100% free.

For what we are concerned here, a distribution can be 100% free as-is
and without further upgrades, with one exception included in the 100%
free agreement for a "bounty".

the "bounty" in brief: the maintainer(s) of a distribution should be
available to act and remove any non-free software that will be
spotted.

To be available to do this does not entails the overhead of
maintaining an entire package repository! nor the imposition of using
a package manager instead of another, or perhaps even make your own
packaging, or just distribute iso updates, or squashed /usr... there
are many ways to update an OS..

I believe that Uruk can be 100% free even without offering a whole
package repository, but just by publishing all sources (and
modifications to existing Trisquel's sources) and agreeing to the
bounty.

ciao

p.s.  for Devuan we are developing and using a new package repository
software that helps those who want to overlay a small subset of
changed packages and fallback (by http redirect) on a larger
repository.  https://git.devuan.org/devuan-infrastructure/amprolla
amprolla may facilitate doing what you intended, but again that is not
a condition for being 100% free.