I have to use non free software. Would that make Trisquel redundant?

On 3/4/20 5:43 AM, name at domain wrote:
> Do you think that its redundant to use Trisquel as my main desktop OS
> and install non free software on it? Should I just have separate
> laptops, one exclusively free and another non free out of necessity?

I think this was asked just a few days ago.

The answer is NO.

When using Trisquel, you have to make a deliberate decision to install
the software. The OS will not offer it to you. Polluting a free system
is much better than using a proprietary system with even more
proprietary packages installed.

I once thought of getting a cheapo laptop with Windows 10 on it for
"development purposes", to help build up-to-date Windows packages for
free programs, and to curate a free software userspace for Windows that
I could recommend to people and easily transfer over to Trisquel.
Ultimately, I decided against it, because I realized small things in
Windows might creep into my life and I would slowly find myself using
Windows more and more.

If possible, create another user account for the proprietary software,
and only install it for that user. Do not install it across the system.
This way, you have to step out of your normal desktop to use the
software, and return back as soon as possible. Also, it has no access
to your home directory.

I am sorry you are in such a horrible situation, that would cause you to
ask a question like this. What features are you missing?

--
Caleb Herbert
KE0VVT
(816) 892-9669
https://bluehome.net/csh

On my Trisquel machine, I have a VM installed that has Windows on it. I treat my non-free software as a utility, but I make it inconvenient to use. I always reach for the free software first. I fyou have that situation, I think thats ideal.

If you have any craptops laying around in your home, that no one is using, my recommendation would be to install a version of GNU/Linux like Manjaro. It will have non-free drivers, and also non-free applications.

If something like that would not solve your problems I would just install windows on that craptop.

I personally find it nicer to keep my x200 libre machine completely free, whereas using non-free programs are restricted to a non-free computer. This leads to me using the craptop that I have only under circumstances where I need to use it, and only for specific non-free necessities.

I also use a iphone, which is non-free, which I hope to switch to a Pinephone, which will be mostly free.

Wish you the best in trying to stay free

I have four rules for advising and helping others on software matters

1. Never tell them to read X and that will solve their problem
It is a big world and free software is about giving people choices to inform themselves on and grow knowledge. There is nothing wrong about simplifying something that will be entered into a search engine later.

2. Always advise FOSS whenever possible
FOSS works with everythings, is more secure, generally cheaper if not outright free, has community support and most importantly does not try to control the user.

3. Do not tell them to use X
Commenting someone doesn't “get it” because they don't use software your familiar is arrogant. Help when you can. when you can’t advise rule 2 or learn more yourself.

4. When rule 2 or 3 are conflict, apply rule 3 then use rule 2.

Trisquel perfectly fits rule 2. It's the perfect OS in that regard. Still it does not violate rule 3. It gives you 100% FOSS OS after that if you want you can choose to use non-free. FOSS should simply be default. Trisquel both keeps you away from and does not include despotware. Still, it allows the addition. This way you know all the non-free blobs you are using -if you install them- and you can limit their number, or even maintain VM with that despotware isolated.

If the whole world started doing FOSS improperly we would go a lot further than a half a dozen laptops with just Trisquel. Take pride in how close you are. I do, and I look forward to greater freedom.

Using non-free software on a libre software computer aka one with a fully free distro, is something some people probably do. If you have to though, I recommend keeping that stuff as disconnected from the internet as possible.

That being said, I agree with thejames. although I understand some users will break rule 2. I myself have on occasion, but yeah its better to not break that rule.

As a rule of thumb, the default software on any free software laptop should have nothing proprietary or freedom restricting. Emulators included whether qemu or a game thats non-free., but the files they run are another story entirely... some would say these matter, but meh to each his own.

connecting to the internet with a vm of a non-free os, usually is bad though. like almost always... but yeah,

Long story short, if you have to, use non-free, better to have the rest of it be freedom respecting to offset some security issues as much as possible.

But obviously not recommended. ;)

What non-free software do you have to use? Is it for work? School?