[Fsf-friends] Reject all non-free distributions

[Ramanraj K]

Any distribution that makes it tedious to redistribute, either by using 
trade marks or other legal impediments that prevent the joy of sharing 
free software, may simply be rejected as non-existent.  The propaganda 
as though there is no life without a particular distribution does not 
take into consideration the long history and achievements of the free 
software movement.   Akshya sets goals like availability of an intrenet 
connection and PC within 2KM range of every household in the State of 
Kerala.  Using free software in such a project should indeed be highly 
desirable and if the distribution chosen by the project is unfit for the 
purpose for more reasons than which meets our eyes, what are the 
alternative distributions available to  a project like Akshaya that aims 
at taking technology nearer to the common man?

At this point, we should also discuss, how a more equitable sharing of 
resources could be achieved. Many of the core utilities like gcc, gdb, 
fileutils and other shells are developed and maintained by the GNU 
Project.  X, the GUI base in free software is possible only because of 
the XFree86 project.  Nobody thanks or thinks of them.  There are 
several project teams that develop utilities that make free software 
work well for a wide range of users and platforms.  The self-less 
service of the developer teams of these projects are the real blood and 
sweat behind free software, and almost all these projects will survive 
only with substantial support.  Since states have started taking an 
interest in free software, it would be an ideal time to address this 
issue also, as to how states could make better use of free software, and 
how atleast a portion of the substantial savings over choosing non-free 
software could go towards supporting various free software projects.