LXer: Ubuntu should reconsider
 

Published at LXer:

Unfortunately, Ubuntu is becoming more and more of a disappointment lately. First they start shipping non-free software by default, then the edgy upgrade turns into a disaster and now I read about plans for including more non-free software and a 3D desktop by default in feisty (the next Ubuntu after edgy). To be honest, ever since I've seen the Feisty Fawn announcement I've been wondering what does the focus on "multimedia enablement and desktop effects" imply, the basic suspicion being will it include more non-free software by default?

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Unfortunately, this is the wave of the future. Linux distributors see an opportunity to invade the mainstream desktop market in the near future, and the opportunity to gain big numbers from the MS deserters is too tempting. If the price of attracting those users is the incorporation of non-free software into their distros, that's not a problem... There is, of course a next step ... The inclusion of DRM ... Novell SLED is eagerly leading the way there, and my prediction is that other distros will be quick to follow.

Actually, I'd just as soon get it all out in the open, and get a clear defining line between those Linuxes that will remain Free, and those that are drinking the kool-aid. I'm hopeful that somebody will fork OpenSuse, that Fedora will hold the line, and of course, Debian is a given. With 3 center stage Free distros, the FOSS movement could still survive. If those distros could be convinced to change their license to GPL3, we could generate a real revolution, since then it would be much more difficult for the incorporation of non-free pieces.