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On Thu, Mar 20, 2008 at 11:06 AM, Tom Potts <tompotts@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: > On Wednesday 19 March 2008 20:39, Simon Waters wrote: > ... > > >t is "non-free", and removed the Debian customisations that upset > > Mozilla, but then it wouldn't have been part of Debian at all, and > > couldn't be included in the default install for a Desktop, and that > > would have been stupid. > Its about 'ownership'. Mozilla 'owns' the Firefox brand and wishes it to be a > certain way so anyone using Firefox knows what they're getting. > Debian got all prissy and wanted to change it. Mozilla said no - thats their > right. It goes beyond that, if a security hole is found in firefox, the debian security team (or any other distros team) MAY NOT fix it unless the fix is approved by mozilla corp and still call the product firefox, no ifs or buts. Debian decided it couldnt get away without Firefox et all in its > distributions but rather than put it into the non free section it chose to > modify and rename. This benefited nobody. > Thats not Mozillas fault - Debian chose to branch. No i disagree here, debian did not choose to branch, debian gives a certain expected level of security and performance to its users, this security and ability to act in a timely manor is taken away if you use the firefox branding. Even if all other fixes/patches are removed, not being able to apply security fixes is a *showstopper* and i would rather have it rebadged than not have security updates and patches. Now if mozilla were "switched on" about this in the first place they could have created a (2nd) brand that could have been used and identified as a "modified firefox" but with out trademark restrictions then it would be clear which version you were using and keep brand forking to a minimum that was common. Robin -- The Mailing List for the Devon & Cornwall LUG http://mailman.dclug.org.uk/listinfo/list FAQ: http://www.dcglug.org.uk/linux_adm/list-faq.html