Re: Q: our priority: our users, or free software?

Sruthi Chandran <[email protected]> Fri, 3 Apr 2026 21:43:49 +0200
Newsgroups	gmane.linux.debian.devel.vote
Message-ID	<[email protected]>
On 24/03/26 21:10, Lucas Nussbaum wrote:
> Hi Sruthi,
>
> One question I've been struggling with for some time is SC#4:
>
>> 4. Our priorities are our users and free software
>>
>> We will be guided by the needs of our users and the free software
>> community. We will place their interests first in our priorities.
> This is very nice when the interests of our users and of the free
> software community are aligned. But sometimes they aren't. And we
> probably have at least some users who care a lot more about how well
> Debian works for them, than about free software.
I agree with you on this. This is really unfortunate, but that is how 
things are.
>
> Sometimes non-free tools, or infrastructure clearly based
> on non-free software, can help us make Debian better for our users.
> We already default to using proprietary CDNs to distribute packages.
> And our QA tooling mostly runs on proprietary cloud resources.
> A critical piece of Debian infrastructure (Salsa) runs on software with
> an Open Core business model. There's also discussion about using
> AI-based tools in the context of Debian.
>
> Where do you stand?
TBH, in my personal life, I try to use free software wherever possible, 
but do resort to convenience over free software many a time. But when it 
comes to Debian, I am not a big fan of dilution of our dedication to 
Free Software. That being said, sometimes it becomes inevitable to 
resort to use of non-free tools etc - if users cannot use our product, 
what is the purpose.
>
> Should we try to move more Debian infrastructure into the cloud to
> reduce infrastructure costs (assuming that it's easier to get sponsored
> for cloud ressources, than for purchasing hardware and getting it
> hosted)?
But that does not mean we should be moving to non-free ecosystem when 
free software alternatives are possible. I would definitely push for 
getting more hardware sponsorship rather than cloud sponsorship. If we 
have to spend some extra money to run our hardware, I think this much we 
can do to retain our commitment to Free Software.
>
> Or instead move back stuff that is currently running in the
> cloud to Debian-owned hardware?
This, I will have to look into before answering.
>
> And what about non-free tools? As DPL, would you accept to use Debian
> money to pay for non-free software part of Debian infrastructure?
> (example: GitLab Premium/Ultimate versions, if it was reasonable
> regarding involved costs)
As mentioned above, I am not pro non-free tools for use in Debian. I 
will go forward with them only if that is the last resort, and we cannot 
go without them.
>
> As DPL, would you accept to use Debian money to pay for non-free
> software or services used in the context of Debian development? (I'm
> thinking here about software that runs locally, not infrastructure
> software part of Debian infra; example: subscription to AI services)
This is a big no for me.
>
> Best,
>
> Lucas
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