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GNU/Linux Distros

   Free distributions (or "distros") of the [49]GNU/Linux system only include and
   only propose free software. They reject nonfree applications, nonfree programming
   platforms, nonfree drivers, nonfree firmware "blobs," and any other nonfree
   software and documentation. If they discover that by mistake some had been
   included, they remove it.

Free GNU/Linux Distros

   We recommend that you use a free GNU/Linux system distribution, one that does not
   include proprietary software at all. That way you can be sure that you are not
   installing any nonfree programs. Here is our list of such distros:
   [50]Free GNU/Linux distributions.

   All of these existing distros could use more development help. Thus, if you want
   to make an effective contribution to free GNU/Linux distributions, we suggest
   that you join the development of an existing free distro rather that starting a
   new free distro.

Free Non-GNU Distros

   These system distributions are free but quite different from GNU. Using them is
   not similar to using GNU/Linux. However, they satisfy the same ethical criteria
   that we apply to GNU/Linux distros.
   [51]Free Non-GNU distributions.

   All of these existing distros could use more development help. Thus, if you want
   to make an effective contribution in this area, we suggest that you join the
   development of an existing free distro rather that starting a new free distro.

Free Distro Guidelines

   Here is the list of problems that can prevent a distro from being considered
   entirely free:
   [52]Guidelines for free system distributions.

Common Distros

   Many common and well-known GNU/Linux software distributions don't meet our
   guidelines. You can read about their problems here:
   [53]Why we can't endorse many well-known GNU/Linux distros.

   We appeal to the developers of these distros to remove the nonfree parts and thus
   make them entirely free software.

Optionally Free Is Not Enough

   Some GNU/Linux distributions allow the user the option of installing only free
   software. You can read:
   [54]Why optionally free is not enough.

Why Is This Important?

   When a GNU/Linux distro includes nonfree software, it causes two kinds of
   problems:
     * If you install it, you may install and use nonfree software.
     * It gives people the wrong idea of what the goal is.

   The first problem is a direct problem: it affects users of the distro, if they
   install the nonfree software. However, the second problem is the more important
   one, because it affects the community as a whole.

   The developers of nonfree distros don't say, "We apologize for the presence of
   nonfree components in our distribution. We don't know what possessed us to
   include them. We hope that next release we will keep our minds on freedom". If
   they did, they would have less of a bad influence.

   Instead, they generally present the nonfree software in their systems as a
   positive feature; they say that their goal is "the best possible user
   experience," or something like that, rather than freedom. In other words, they
   lead people to place convenience above freedom--working directly against our
   campaign to make freedom the primary goal.

   The fact that these distros don't deliver freedom is why we don't endorse them.
   That they teach people not to value freedom is why we are strongly concerned
   about this issue.
     ____________________________________________________________________________

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   Updated: $Date: 2022/01/22 17:47:18 $

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  88. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/
  89. http://www.fsf.org/about/dmca-notice