[Arm-netbook] Debian GNU/Linux, nonfree software, and FSF's free distros list

[J.B. Nicholson]

Andrew M.A. Cater wrote:
> You can install an entirely free system with no non-free components.
>
> You can also install Debian without taking account of any recommends.

But the recommends and suggests fields are still listing nonfree software, 
which was the FSF's issue. Not accepting the suggestions or recommendations 
doesn't address the issue the FSF raised in Sullivan's DebConf talk.

> Where would you suggest that Debian point users with unusable hardware -
> note (_users_ not developers) ?

Developers are users too. But where I would point them doesn't matter. 
These are the FSF's requirements we're talking about. Although I don't 
speak for the FSF, I believe they'd point any computer user to the FSF's 
"Respects Your Freedom" hardware (such as what the FSF itself uses) and I 
believe they'd point out that sometimes freedom requires a sacrifice (as 
rms points out in all of his talks going back many years). One might not be 
able to use just any hardware with a Debian GNU/Linux system that satisfies 
the FSF's recommended distro list.

> Genuinely: run through a Debian install from the netinst / CDs. Please
> point out to me where non-free software will be installed without an
> explicit action to include nonfree software on the part of the person
> installing. The screen mentioning non-free mentions that hardware
> drivers that may be required may be non-free but you have to opt in to
> install them.

Which suggests the nonfree software integration the FSF spoke of is in 
there. After all, like you just said, if it's an opt-in away to get the 
nonfree software the nonfree repos are listed but not enabled until one 
answers "yes" to activate the nonfree repos Debian hosts. If this isn't the 
case, and the FSF's requests are being met it's a simple matter for someone 
from Debian to submit the latest Debian GNU/Linux for a proper review and 
possible inclusion on the list.