[maemo-developers] Identifying free/non-free apps (was Re: ... and QA of closed source applications?)

[From: Quim Gil]

Hi,

ext Attila Csipa wrote:
> Just arrived... out of order mail is so much fun :)
> 
> On Wednesday 06 May 2009 14:37:18 you wrote:
>>> non-free software, but rather to be in the clear that people *know* which
>>> software is, and which isn't free and then decide for themselves if they
>>> want it or not. In the spirit of recalling the history of the wheel, I'll
>> Done since years ago.
>>
>> http://repository.maemo.org/extras-devel/pool/fremantle/free/
>> http://repository.maemo.org/extras-devel/pool/fremantle/non-free/
> 
> As Jeremiah pointed out, it's more of a clarity thing. As it is now, it's 
> fairly difficult for users to see/make that choice.

I see. Users can get their software from maemo.org Downloads and there
the applications do tell whether they are open or not. See for instance
http://maemo.org/downloads/product/OS2008/personal-menu/ &
http://maemo.org/downloads/product/OS2008/canola2/

> To make things worse, the
> application manager does not display the repository, much less the component 
> an application belongs to. 

Indeed, more information could be probably put in the "Application
details" --> "Summary e.g. the repository branch and there you could see
whether it's free or non-free. Do you mind filing an enhancement request?

I don't see too much the point of saying anything in the main list of
applications. Most users don't care and are not even aware of the free
vs gratis question. Listing "free" and "non-free" would make  most users
think non-free = paid.

> Even if it would, if you install an application
> directly from maemo.org, you will likely get a
> 
> [extras]
> name = maemo Extras
> uri = http://repository.maemo.org/extras/
> components = free non-free
> 
> stanza automatically from .install. Now, provided you even know about 
> free/non-free components, you would have to go to the application manager -> 
> tools -> catalogues -> pick extras -> edit and then know what free and 
> non-free actually means in that context and how to edit them. I don't think 
> it's trivial for newbies at all. Making this a higher (repository level) 
> choice IMHO makes it a lot clearer.

I agree this is not trivial to newbies. However, I wonder how many Maemo
newbies are concerned by this. If you are concerned, you are probably
not a newbie. And even if you are concerned, I wonder what would be the
% of Maemo users that actually would not give a try to an interesting
gratis application because of the license.

-- 
Quim Gil
open source advocate
Maemo Software @ Nokia