Canadian version of Ubuntu

[Darryl Moore]

sigh

thanks for the quote. here is the relevant link I googled:
http://www.ubuntu.com/partners/certification/software

I guess you're right about associating it with Ubuntu then. Can't be
done, and I really don't have any interest in making a distro which will
only be new window dressing on an existing one.

I'm a little disappointed with Ubuntu reducing their distro to the
absolute lowest common denominator of IP law as they are doing here.
There should be some acknowledgement that IP laws are different in
different countries and the software should be able to reflect that.

Well, I do still have some interest in a Canadian version that reflects
Canadian IP laws, However to make use of Ubuntu we would need to strip
out everything that relates back to them( a'la CentOS and RedHat).
However I've never put together a distro before and that sounds like a
lot more work. So unless there are others out there who feel similarly
inclined.....

[takes a deep drag]

[passes the rope]

.. I think we're done.


On Fri, 2006-08-04 at 12:25 -0400, Chris Thompson wrote:
> 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
>