Ayatana Design

Bug #723831
Comment #17

Comment 17 for bug 723831

Revision history for this message

mark johnson (mark.johnson) wrote on 2011-03-19:

#17

Paul referred to the Ubuntu UK Podcast discussion, in which I mentioned I didn't think this was a good idea. I'd like to expand a bit more on why, speaking as an end-user who uses Ubuntu because it's free software.

Benjamin pointed out, as we did on the show, that some of the packages in question are free but may have patent issues in some countries. I agree that it's OK to have these enabled by default, as long at we're not putting end-users in a legally-dubious situation by doing so. As I live in the UK, this doesn't bother me, but in a country such as the USA where software patents are more of a big deal, this worries me a bit. However, this is clearly an issue for the legal team.

On Ubuntu.com, there is a paragraph summarising what Ubuntu is. The paragraph ends, "Ubuntu is, and always will be, absolutely free." This change will undermine this clear statement of principle. We all know that the word "free" is loaded in this context, so the choice to use it there was clearly considered. It doesn't matter whether removal of non-free components is unticking a box, or an apt-get remove command - the choice to install them by default means that Ubuntu is no longer "absolutely free", which could affect the distro's credibility within the free software community. These are the people tell their friends and family about Linux, and install Linux on their machines. Losing their support isn't ideal.

The description of this bug report makes it clear that a primary reason for the change is "Usability".
> For example people expect YouTube to just work. If YouTube doesn't work they will say,
> "I tried this new computer, it looked quite nice but when I went to YouTube it didn't work
> so I want back to using my Mac/PC".
This may well be true. However, if there's going to be a major policy change in the name of usability, I'd like to see some evidence that this is the case. As a developer, I know how easy it is to say "users will probably think this, so I'll do this" without ever researching what users actually think and do. I suspect that the majority of people who install Ubuntu will understand what the checkbox means, and will tick it if necessary. The reason I say that is that I think users who don't understand or notice the checkbox won't be installing Ubuntu themselves anyway - someone who does (techie friend/professional or OEM) will be doing it for them, and can check it if it's required.
Again I may well be wrong, but without properly researching it we'll never know.

My final concern is that a change like this opens the flood gates. If we've agreed that it's acceptable to include non-free software by default, where do we draw the line? Drivers? Codecs? Browser Plugins? Applications? What if a partner company wants to pay Canonical to include its proprietary software in Ubuntu by default? Any decision in this area will need a clear process for justification of packages installed through this option, otherwise we risk making a default Ubuntu install look like an OEM Windows install.

Paul referred to the Ubuntu UK Podcast discussion, in which I mentioned I didn't think this was a good idea.  I'd like to expand a bit more on why, speaking as an end-user who uses Ubuntu because it's free software.

Benjamin pointed out, as we did on the show, that some of the packages in question are free but may have patent issues in some countries.  I agree that it's OK to have these enabled by default, as long at we're not putting end-users in a legally-dubious situation by doing so.  As I live in the UK, this doesn't bother me, but in a country such as the USA where software patents are more of a big deal, this worries me a bit. However, this is clearly an issue for the legal team.

On Ubuntu.com, there is a paragraph summarising what Ubuntu is. The paragraph ends, "Ubuntu is, and always will be, absolutely free."  This change will undermine this clear statement of principle.  We all know that the word "free" is loaded in this context, so the choice to use it there was clearly considered.  It doesn't matter whether removal of non-free components is unticking a box, or an apt-get remove command - the choice to install them by default means that Ubuntu is no longer "absolutely free", which could affect the distro's credibility within the free software community.  These are the people tell their friends and family about Linux, and install Linux on their machines. Losing their support isn't ideal.

The description of this bug report makes it clear that a primary reason for the change is "Usability". 
> For example people expect YouTube to just work. If YouTube doesn't work they will say, 
> "I tried this new computer, it looked quite nice but when I went to YouTube it didn't work 
> so I want back to using my Mac/PC".
This may well be true. However, if there's going to be a major policy change in the name of usability, I'd like to see some evidence that this is the case.  As a developer, I know how easy it is to say "users will probably think this, so I'll do this" without ever researching what users actually think and do.  I suspect that the majority of people who install Ubuntu will understand what the checkbox means, and will tick it if necessary.  The reason I say that is that I think users who don't understand or notice the checkbox won't be installing Ubuntu themselves anyway - someone who does (techie friend/professional or OEM) will be doing it for them, and can check it if it's required.
Again I may well be wrong, but without properly researching it we'll never know.

My final concern is that a change like this opens the flood gates. If we've agreed that it's acceptable to include non-free software by default, where do we draw the line? Drivers? Codecs? Browser Plugins? Applications?  What if a partner company wants to pay Canonical to include its proprietary software in Ubuntu by default?  Any decision in this area will need a clear process for justification of packages installed through this option, otherwise we risk making a default Ubuntu install look like an OEM Windows install.