Re: [directory-discuss] New antifeature: Nonfree software support

[Ian Kelling]

On Thu, Jan 12, 2017, at 03:58 AM, David Hedlund wrote:
> I just added 
> https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Free_Software_Directory:Antifeatures#Nonfree_software_support
>
>
> The software support nonfree software but free software can be
>      used as well. For example, Django[https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Django] 
> supports both PostgreSQL[https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/PostgreSQL] and the 
> proprietary Oracle
>      Database.
>

I don't think it's a good idea.

You are probably thinking of it from the perspective that when someone
is using all free software, if some of that software has specific
features work with proprietary programs, that is not useful, and only
makes it easier to adopt proprietary software. But it often helps people
who are already using proprietary software adopt free software. Say that
someone already has their data in a proprietary oracle database, and
they are looking for a web framework, they perhaps choose django instead
of a proprietary one. Then later, they might evaluate choosing a new
database, django supports free ones, when a proprietary web framework
might not.

Some Gnu programs support windows to inspire them to move to a free
operating
system such as GNU/Linux:
https://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/manual/efaq-w32.html#Why-Emacs-on-Windows