Should free software discriminate?

[Xbehave]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hacktiv...ense_Agreement

http://www.hacktivismo.com/about/hessla.php

http://www.gnu.org/licenses/hessla.html

Software that restricts its use, is by definition not-free. As to weather developers could/should ask certain groups to not use their software, then OFC they can/should, they produced it they can ask/say what they want about it.

[swoll1980]

@OP

Do you really have to ask? I feel sorry for you.

[basenvironment]

The real issue is whether MrX of distro Y had the 'right' to limit the freedom to Z because of the beliefs of MrX that Z is restricting the freedom of A

nicely put...

so MrX is going to (ask to) restrict freedom because he is appalled by the restricting of freedoms....sounds like he is adding to the mess...

So, can he ask that? Is it right to ask that? Does that help in any way? Isn't he (almost) violating the GPL by putting further restrictions which are not allowed by the GPL?

[basenvironment]

So I guess the question is - Is it discrimination to ask a certain group of people to not use your software?

[monsterstack]

So I guess the question is - Is it discrimination to ask a certain group of people to not use your software?

Of course it is. You're making a decision that favours one group of people and disadvantages another. That's what discrimination means.

[eragon100]

I didn't want to use linux mint. Now I am never even going to think about it. Altough I have to admit I wouldn't stop playing one of the open-source games if the devel team would say something like that, because I wouldn't let ethics get in the way of my fun

[swoll1980]

So I guess the question is - Is it discrimination to ask a certain group of people to not use your software?

That pretty much the exact definition. Compare it to me asking a certain color of people to not use my drinking fountain, or sit in the front of my bus.This form of discrimination is called segregation. Separating a group of people from a resource, or activity, based on race, religion, age, nationality,sex, sexual orientation, and so on.

[mikewhatever]

Really? It may be one thing to think it, another to actually ask it....


Did he change his mind?

It looks like he did. The post in question has been removed from the Mint blog and an apology posted. http://www.linuxmint.com/blog/?p=775

[benj1]

according to the open source definition

5. No Discrimination Against Persons or Groups

The license must not discriminate against any person or group of persons.

[dspari1]

The real question is:
Are you willing to forgive?

Clem apologized, and being the good Catholic that I am, I accept it. I now have no issues with using Mint or recommending it to people anymore.

Here's the apology:
http://www.linuxmint.com/blog/?p=775