Canadian version of Ubuntu

[Chris Thompson]

Sorry guys, but I think the "activist Canadian codecs and all Ubuntu"
contingent are smoking rope.

Don't misunderstand - I think all the patent and copyright restrictions on
codecs are crap.

But Ubuntu is absolutely the wrong soapbox to use.

The suggestion flies in the face of the policies established by Our
Benevolent Dictator:

"Open source and proprietary applications that are freely available and
redistributable may be included in the Ubuntu network repository, and
network of mirror servers, at no cost, provided that this is acceptable to
the vendor and that the software does not infringe copyright or patent
claims in any country in which Ubuntu is mirrored. "

Now, it would be OK to develop an alternate new debian-based distro, perhaps
with  many of the features of Ubuntu.

For working purposes, let us call it Maplix.

But it would never be a flavour of Ubuntu, because it doesn't meet one of
the acid tests for being Ubuntu.

On 8/4/06, Darryl Moore <darryl at moores.ca> wrote:
>
> On Fri, 2006-08-04 at 08:15 -0700, Daniel Robitaille wrote:
> > On 8/4/06, Darryl Moore <darryl at moores.ca> wrote:
> > > On Thu, 2006-08-03 at 19:43 -0700, Daniel Robitaille wrote:
> > >
> > > > I would suggest that a better approach is to create something like a
> > > > "EasyUbuntuCanada" script or application  that runs on  a standard
> > > > Ubuntu installation and install these different pieces and artwork
> for
> > > > the user; probably asking along the way which bits the user want.
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > > If the main idea is to make the installation of legal (per Canadian
> law)
> > > "Restricted" codecs easier, then this does not accomplish that.
> > >
> >
> > why not?  That script can do what you want it to do.  It can install
> > extra packages from ubuntu reposititories.  It can also install extra
> > packages from whatever other source you want, legal or illegal from a
> > non-canadian point of view.   So instead of creating a whole 700mb ISO
> > containing your canadianized-Ubuntu distro, you host instead your
> > smaller bits of binaries you want offer  (i.e, your codecs), and the
> > script install them for the user.
> >
>
> But this still makes it a two step process. 1) install Ubuntu 2) add
> Canadian files. That isn't any easier than the current process of 1)
> install Ubuntu 2) run EasyUbuntu.
>
> I think we want to make it real easy to install the Canadian version.
> Then they would be more likely to do so. If that version includes some
> "restricted" codecs then they would also be a little less likely to want
> to go and install the full gambit of restricted ones, they will feel
> more confident that they are working within the parameters of Canadian
> law, and finally they will feel suitably annoyed when the Canadian
> government tries to change the rules to move those parameters.
>
> Frankly, and to be perfectly honest, I'm looking at this as a way to
> create some activists here out of people who otherwise wouldn't be.
>
>
>
> --
> ubuntu-ca mailing list
> ubuntu-ca at lists.ubuntu.com
> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-ca
>
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