Fwd: Re: [Fsuk-manchester] Talking about non-free software on the list
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What do you think about this?
-------- Mensaje original --------
Asunto: Re: [Fsuk-manchester] Talking about non-free software on the list
Fecha: Thu, 21 Mar 2013 20:15:47 +0000
De: John <name at domain>
A: name at domain
[...]
FSF.org supports DyneBolic and Trisquel
http://www.gnu.org/distros/free-distros.html
Both incorporate MuSE and allow it to stream out via IceCast.
http://packages.trisquel.info/toutatis/allpackages
IceCast recommends OGG but it does mention how to set up an MP3 stream
http://www.icecast.org/docs/icecast-2.3.3/icecast2_basicsetup.html
So does that mean DyneBolic and Trisquel should both be removed from
the FSF recommended and we should not promote them, because they have a
package that in turn explains/instructs producing MP3s?
Or are those distributions OK because they do not explain/instruct and
would IceCast be OK if it just hid secret knowledge?
Regards
John
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Fsuk-manchester mailing list
name at domain
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I am a member!
MP3 is a patent encumbered format. Trisquel even includes it if I'm not mistaken. This is not a free software issue. The programs themselves are not recommending non-free software.
Oh, the drama...
Icecast does not produce mp3s. It streams mp3s if it's fed them.
And producing mp3s is perfectly ok, unless you live in some jurisdiction which likes software patents, like US of A.
> IceCast recommends OGG but it does mention how to set up an MP3 stream
> http://www.icecast.org/docs/icecast-2.3.3/icecast2_basicsetup.html
Would streaming a patent-encumbered format infringe patents? I don't know. I would think not, but maybe I'm wrong.
> Both incorporate MuSE and allow it to stream out via IceCast.
I installed MuSE and I couldn't find the MP3 functionality (not saying it isn't there though).
> This is not a free software issue. The programs themselves are not recommending non-free software.
Maybe, but free software aims to give freedom to all of the community. Free software is about legal freedom as much as technical. A community in a country without copyright could potentially use leaked Windows source code to compile an OS that would free for them, but it wouldn't be free for the rest of the world.
Regarding patents, it seems that any software technique, format or design can be patented in the US these days. But there are some patents that stand out more than others, like the MP3 patents which are actively enforced.
However, I equally think having MP3-importing software is important, so that users can use free formats.
Maybe it would be better if patented software was in a separate repository, so that it would be easier for a Trisquel-based distro to not include it? The idea isn't too far-fetched (IMHO) - Fedora avoids including patented software, and users have to use third-party repos instead.
Anyway, that's my 2 cents.
I am a translator!
My position is this: as long as you know you won't be legally punished for it, violate software patents whenever you can!
Software patents are unjust, and we should pretend they're not there as long as it is safe. Ogg and other Xiph formats are better still (in multiple ways).
Fedora doesn't include some patented software like mp3 codecs and DVD decoding, but that's because they're a major distro backed by Red Hat (a large company with a large amount of money at stake). So, they're actually liable to be sued if they included it. Trisquel isn't really in such a position at this time.
It's more because Fedora is in a country that has software patents. Trisquel isn't, from my understanding.
It *could* be risky for a company (or maybe even person) to distribute Trisquel in the US. Trisquel is a small target, so maybe it's unlikely.
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