Subject: Re: About the article From: Adam Di Carlo <adam@xxxxxxxxxxx> Date: 02 May 1999 16:43:24 -0400 |
>>>>> "Didier" == Didier PH Martin <martind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> writes: Didier> Hi Adam, <comment> Then why do you only write tools that run Didier> on non-free platforms? I've seen several announcements of Didier> your stuff, and it looks interesting, but I can't run it. Didier> </comment> [BTW, why not follow std quoting rules? I don't like this XMLish email quoting...] Didier> <reply> you spoke about free platform <question>Is it Didier> Linux?</question>. Well, for me, freedom is defined by the Debian Free Software Guidelines <URL:http://www.debian.org/social_contract#guidelines>. Free platforms include all Debian platforms, which includes Linux and the GNU Hurd. It also included FreeBSD, NetBSD, and OpenBSD. Didier> if yes, then, if you call it free, this is Didier> probably because you downloaded it and compiled it (free) and Didier> did not bought the already compiled one (not free). Whether or not I compiled something doesn't determine freeness. Freeness is determined by the accessibility of the source. Again, see the above URL or <URL:http://opensource.org/osd.html>. Didier> So, if Didier> both cases are true, in three to four months from now, we'll Didier> need some testers that can compile mozilla code (free) on Didier> Linux with a dsssl and XSL MIME filter. Can we count on you as Didier> a vonlonteer to do this? Well, not me personally, but I'm confident that Mozilla will be included in the next Debian release. Some folks apparently have rough Mozilla m4 packages in non-official locations; we can hope they will be officially released into Debian unstable (potato) soon. We can also try to make sure that the included Mozilla includes the components you need. Didier> You'll have to: a) compile Mozilla on Linux, b) compile the Didier> modified dsssl engine and the xsl engine also c) test the Didier> behavior and report bugs to bugszilla. According to the SGML/XML Kit web pages, it also requires the non-free Talva document explorer. So even if you do manage to replace the MSIE dependancy with Mozilla (or either), you still have that dependancy to contend with. Didier> We would be glad to get some help from people able to Didier> recompile the Linux OS (free) because actually a lot of them Didier> have Linux pre-packaged (not free). Um, no, I am a Debian user and developer. The system *is* prepackaged, but also free. You are confused on what "free" means. I *could* compile the whole darn thing on my own, but I don't need to. Didier> So for someone able to Didier> recompile Linux, to recompile Mozilla and its components is a Didier> piece of cake. </reply> Installing Debian packages is even easier: 'apt-get install mozilla'. And just as free. Now, just to clarify my intentions: I do not wish to insult Didier, and I'm afaid my first mention of this was rather insulting (I must have been grumpy). For this I apologize. While I do not follow RMS in saying all software must be free (I think some great software would never have existed if so), I do believe that the success of XML/SGML/DSSSL/XSL etc *do* depend on quality, free implementations. I also *guess* that Didier's work is useful, especially for making the SGML workflow and toolchain easier to use for users. (I don't know because I haven't run it). Therefore, I wish I could use Didier's work on my main SGML platform (Debian GNU/Linux). At any rate, I hope this exchange has been instructive and informative, and not just inflammatory. -- .....Adam Di Carlo....adam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx<URL:http://www.onShore.com/> DSSSList info and archive: http://www.mulberrytech.com/dsssl/dssslist
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