Dosbox and VirtualBox should be removed from repos because it can be used to run non-free software
Dosbox and Virtualbox can both run non-free software and should be removed to remain in compliance.
Free Software dont stop you to run nonfree software, Trisquel and other free distros of the GNU Operating System dont promote, recommend or support nonfree software.
My question is this, are that programs nonfree?
if the answer is yes, that programs dont must be in the repository.
From what I understand, free systems can be used to run non free software. GNU FSDG compliant systems can't have any non free software in their repos, and not make any recommendations to use non-free software. But they can allow the user to find non free software and install it manually. I am sure there are some free dos programs that you can only run in Dosbox. I think Virtualbox can be used to run free systems as well. If Dosbox/Virtualbox are free, don't have any repositories of non free software , don't ask people to install non-free software, and don't have any non-free dependencies. Then I think it is fine. I haven't used Virtualbox or Dosbox so I am not sure if they do any of those things.
But they can allow the user to find non free software and install it manually.
Actively preventing users from running whatever they want would be implementing Digital Restriction Management. It would definitely go against the free software principles. Trisquel does not do that.
Proposing nonfree software is inviting users to surrender their freedoms. It is bad. Trisquel does not do that either.
I am sure there are some free dos programs that you can only run in Dosbox.
Certainly. Even if it is a minority of software, it must be useful to some Trisquel users who value their freedoms. Notice that, nowadays, most websites distribute nonfree JavaScript, for execution in the Web browser. By the same bad argument, all Web browsers interpreting JavaScript would be removed from Trisquel's repository.
I don't think Virtualbox is in the Trisquel repo. It has a nonfree build dependency.
"I don't think Virtualbox is in the Trisquel repo. It has a nonfree build dependency."
I think wrenchie means virt-manager. Similar to Virtualbox but free/libre.
I have to say. I'm one using virt-manager for non-free software, aka. Win xp. As my scanner (Opticbook 4800) can't be run anywhere else and that's a thing I need. I'm looking for better alternatives but have nothing so far. If someone knows, please suggest something better.
Also, if Dosbox should be removed then emulator like mednafen should also as it can run PS1 games, which are non-free and need non-free bios to be run. Wine is one too but isn't working in Trisquel 10 so that's not a problem right now. And what if I make some non-free programs with my Trisquel 10? That's possible too. So maybe just throw my pcs to lake and go read a book or something..