Re: [gNewSense-users] [Fwd: Gobuntu released confirmed as 18 October]

[Stewart Starbuck]

Well, we've had a response on the gobuntu list. For those of you not signed up 
to it here's the feedback:
---
Hi Stewart

Stewart Starbuck wrote:
> 1, I'm in firefox.
<snip>
> Instantly here freedom has been compromised, in this case due to lack of 
> manpower.

Agreed, Evan has proposed an interim solution, at least.

> 2, gobuntu turns into ubuntu very easily
<snip>

I'm sorry, but I don't agree with you here. I think it's great that 
Gobuntu makes it easy to install a completely free system, but a users 
needs may change. What if they buy a tv card or 3g/hsdpa modem or 
another device that absolutely needs a restricted driver? I think it 
should be easily possible for a user to do it. We have restricted 
manager that educates the user about restricted drivers, so at least 
they won't unwittingly install it.

> 3, Users can't know it's all free software
>
Excluding the firefox issue above, there is no way for us to tell,
without going through every program and every license, that there isn't
any other non-free software.

Everything in main and universe must be free software. Of course, 
Gobuntu has a bit of a problem (and of course a benefit) that it should 
only include free artwork as well. This will indeed cause a lot of work, 
but Rome wasn't built in a day, I think it will take some time to get there.

> 4, Lack of awareness

Indeed, this is also a problem, I'm trying to get the word out there by 
blogging it, telling people in my local lug about it, and also other FSF 
members. I think upon release of Gutsy, the word will get out quite 
widely via the Ubuntu release notes.

> 5, Lack of support

This might be because very few people actually use Gobuntu at this 
stage. Even when the user count rises, I'm sure they will mostly be able 
to get help through the existing Ubuntu channels. It would be nice to 
see this list more busy though. At least Evan is paying close attention 
to the list now, so we can get {C,c}anonical feedback easier and faster.

> 6, Firefox plugins
> Browsing to youtube I was greeted with the "plugins required..", selected it, 

Perhaps the Ubuntu Iceweasel plugin should only link to Gnash? Someone 
told me yesterday that it would also be nice to have an explanation of 
what Adobe Flash and GNU Gnash is in the Firefox plugin, since the 
average user would not know the difference.

I think these items are all valid concerns, but they won't be solved for 
Gutsy, unfortunately.

-Jonathan






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