ubuntu-eee-coders team mailing list archive

[Alan Horkan <horkana@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I can understand your desire to provide users with a familiar default, I
know there are various bits of freedom software that frustrate me
(freedom to change it doesn't necessarily mean, time, ability, or means
to change it, especially if upstream are resistant but anyhow...).

The freedom and flexibility afforded by "Free Software" is very
important.  If I understand Mike correctly (and perhaps he wants to take
a harder line) he might not be saying you shouldn't provide Skype as an
option (though in terms of freedom we think it is better in the long run
if you didn't) but that the the Free Software should be the default
option.

Perhaps also you could outline your dislike for Ekiga and we can work
together to push for improvements? Does it not work well with Netbooks
or do you generally dislike the program? I recall it used to have some
very ugly Wizard/Assistants that run on first use but I thought they
were getting rid of those.

Rephrasing the wiki page so it isn't quite so enthusiastic about
proprietary software could help too.

"Ubuntu CDs contain only free software applications; we encourage you to
use free and open source software, improve it and pass it on."
http://ubuntu.com  2008-09-05

If in time you want Ubuntu EEE to become a closer part of the main Ubuntu or Ubuntu MID then they will make the changes and set the defaults to be Free Software in line with the Ubuntu philosophy. Keeping closer to the Ubuntu Linux philosophy is what we are asking. 
http://www.ubuntu.com/community/ubuntustory/licensing

-- 
do not replace free software with non-fre software
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/264959
You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu
Eee Coders, which is subscribed to Ubuntu Eee.

Status in Ubuntu Eee: New

Bug description:
On your web site, you state:

"It's an operating system based upon open source software, but also providing some proprietary alternatives (e.g. Skype instead of Ekiga). Sounds great!" -- http://www.ubuntu-eee.com/index.php5?title=Main_Page

This is not a feature, it is a bug. By providing proprietary alternatives, you are encouraging people to use them instead of the free software equivalents, which is bad for users, both in the short term and long term.

Please do not ship non-free applications by default.