#182: GNOME 3.12 pushes Google and other commercial, non-FOSS "apps" at users ----------------------------+----------------------- Reporter: sparks | Owner: somebody Type: defect | Status: new Priority: major | Milestone: Component: Fedora Project | Resolution: Keywords: | Blocked By: Blocking: | ----------------------------+----------------------- Comment (by rdieter): Josh called me out for referencing a non-public irc conversation, so after getting everyone's permission, here's the #fedora-advisory-board log. {{{ [04/09/14 07:04] <number80> mmm, I still don't have access to the board trac :/ [04/09/14 07:04] * number80 wants to follow the gnome shell proprietary services integration ticket [04/09/14 07:05] <number80> rbergeron: you registered me on the board- private m-l, not on the trac ;) [04/09/14 08:06] <Sparks> number80: If you're keeping up with the FESCo ticket, that's really where it is. [04/09/14 08:07] <number80> yup [04/09/14 08:08] <number80> I wish that discussion actually happened *upstream* [04/09/14 08:08] <Sparks> number80: It did. The original complaintant filed a BZ ticket. [04/09/14 08:09] <number80> :/ [04/09/14 08:10] <number80> I think that we won't be more disliked by the desktop team as we already are :) [04/09/14 08:10] <number80> s/think/guess/ [04/09/14 08:12] <Sparks> number80: Maybe I'm crazy but I don't think it's very FOSS of us to be pushing Google Docs in Fedora. [04/09/14 08:13] <number80> I agree, but I understand the workstation people who want to bring an "usable" desktop to end-users [04/09/14 08:14] <number80> Besides, technically, we're not shipping proprietary code nor making GNOME unusable without proprietary services [04/09/14 08:14] <Sparks> So it's not usable without Google or Dropbox or... [04/09/14 08:14] <number80> is it ? [04/09/14 08:15] <number80> it might be crippled experience compared to stock GNOME, but not compared to older version ? [04/09/14 08:15] <Sparks> I've been running Fedora for many years and I've never thought "you know what this thing needs? A link to Google and other non-FOSS stuff." [04/09/14 08:16] <number80> Yeah, I can't help thinking that the workstation product will end up being an independant downstream project [04/09/14 08:17] <number80> They could do an awesome FOSS based desktop, and we won't have to worry to keep it the fedora way [04/09/14 08:18] <number80> (If it happens, I would still use the good ol' Fedora desktop) [04/09/14 08:19] <number80> Breaking the nvidia drivers with the 4k kernel was the feature who kept me on Fedora ;) [04/09/14 08:19] <mjg59> Sparks: Is it any more or less FOSS to include a Twitter client? [04/09/14 08:20] <Sparks> mjg59: Like Pidgin? [04/09/14 08:21] <Sparks> err... not like Pidgin [04/09/14 08:21] <Sparks> mjg59: AFAIK, we don't have a Twitter client. We have software that *can* integrate with Twitter but also integrates with other services, too. [04/09/14 08:22] <Sparks> mjg59: The point is that we aren't pointing people to Twitter on the desktop when they are trying to pull up terminal (or another T). [04/09/14 08:23] <mjg59> Sparks: No, we definitely ship applications that do nothing but speak to Twitter [04/09/14 08:24] <Sparks> mjg59: Oddly enough, when I type "twitter" into my computer they don't come up. [04/09/14 08:24] <mjg59> Sparks: That's not the question I was asking [04/09/14 08:25] <Sparks> mjg59: That's the question I was answering [04/09/14 08:25] <Sparks> mjg59: I see how you are trying to frame the arguement but that's not the question. [04/09/14 08:25] <mjg59> If these appeared in the software center but not in the activities overview, would you have an objection? [04/09/14 08:26] <Sparks> yes [04/09/14 08:26] <Sparks> for several reasons [04/09/14 08:26] <Sparks> These "apps" are bypassing the normal review process for software. [04/09/14 08:26] <mjg59> What distinction are you drawing between a Free Software web browser that points to a non-free web service and a Free Software Twitter client that points to a non-free web service? [04/09/14 08:27] <mjg59> Well, no, they're not. All the code running on the user's system has been reviewed. [04/09/14 08:27] <Sparks> Oh really? Show me the review for Google DOcs [04/09/14 08:28] <mjg59> I believe Firefox was part of core before the review process was implemented [04/09/14 08:28] <mjg59> But ok, you make a distinction there. Where's the review for Google.com? [04/09/14 08:28] <Sparks> I'm looking in the software thingy and see Google Docs. Where is the review for that? [04/09/14 08:29] <Sparks> We aren't shipping google.com. [04/09/14 08:29] <mjg59> Sparks: We're not shipping Google Docs, either. Have you actually installed it? [04/09/14 08:29] <Sparks> We are shipping something called Google Drive (sorry, not Google Docs). [04/09/14 08:30] <mjg59> Sparks: Click install. Run it. What happens? [04/09/14 08:30] <Sparks> Yes, I know what it does. It's pointing people to a proprietary alternative to FOSS software that we already ship. [04/09/14 08:30] <mjg59> Yes. Just like Firefox does. [04/09/14 08:30] <Sparks> No [04/09/14 08:31] <mjg59> We ship Firefox configured to use a proprietary web search engine [04/09/14 08:31] <Sparks> You have to opt-in to get Firefox to do non-FOSS stuff. This solutions are being pushed to the user. [04/09/14 08:31] <mjg59> Open firefox. Type some words (not a URL) into the address bar. Hit enter. What happens? [04/09/14 08:31] <Sparks> Yes, I dislike the search function in Firefox and think it should be changed/fixed. [04/09/14 08:32] <mjg59> Ok. So why is shipping any software that uses a non-free web service acceptable? [04/09/14 08:32] <Sparks> Right now the software center is pushing non- FOSS stuff. Firefox isn't advertising non-FOSS stuff. [04/09/14 08:32] <mjg59> Why is the Google Drive web app any less free than Mitter? [04/09/14 08:33] <Sparks> I've don't know what mitter is (neither does the software center). [04/09/14 08:33] <Sparks> So where is Microsoft Office Live in here? [04/09/14 08:34] <mjg59> Ok. Birdie. [04/09/14 08:34] <Sparks> I mean, if we're offering up Google Drive then why not Microsoft's solution? [04/09/14 08:34] <mjg59> That's a separate question [04/09/14 08:34] <mjg59> I'm trying to figure out the distinction you draw between one set of proprietary web services and another set [04/09/14 08:34] <Sparks> They are both on equal footing WRT licensing, EULA, and restrictive access. [04/09/14 08:36] <mjg59> How is the existence of Birdie not pushing proprietary web services? [04/09/14 08:39] <Sparks> The distinction is that we aren't pushing a proprietary solution simply by having an application that can access that proprietary solution. But when we start showing in our software store proprietary software (SaaS) then we're actively pointing people away from the FOSS that we already ship. [04/09/14 08:39] <Sparks> mjg59: Birdie is GPLv3. What's Google Docs? [04/09/14 08:40] <Sparks> mjg59: The distinction is that GNOME is now pushing SaaS. I'll extend my view to the end product, not the metadata file that points people to that solution. [04/09/14 08:40] <mjg59> Sparks: The bit of Google Docs that ends up on the user's system is GPLv2 [04/09/14 08:42] <Sparks> mjg59: I thought it was CC0? [04/09/14 08:42] <mjg59> Epiphany? No. [04/09/14 08:42] <Sparks> no [04/09/14 08:43] <Sparks> the metadata that points people to these solutions is CC0. The link (which all programs have) should be negligable. [04/09/14 08:44] <mjg59> I don't understand. [04/09/14 08:44] <mjg59> In both cases (Drive and Twitter) the actual client code running on the user system is GPL [04/09/14 08:44] <Sparks> When GNOME started pushing SaaS solutions they changed the very way we have to start thinking about what we ship. [04/09/14 08:45] <Sparks> This isn't about epiphany. It's about how epiphany knows where to go. [04/09/14 08:45] <mjg59> In both cases that client code does nothing meaningful without a proprietary web service [04/09/14 08:46] <mjg59> Why is Birdie acceptable to you? [04/09/14 08:46] <Sparks> In one case the software is proprietary SaaS. [04/09/14 08:46] <mjg59> Which software? [04/09/14 08:46] <Sparks> The software is properly licensed. [04/09/14 08:46] <Sparks> Birdie [04/09/14 08:46] <mjg59> And Epiphany is also properly licensed for distribution in Fedora [04/09/14 08:47] <Sparks> Google Drive is not [04/09/14 08:47] <mjg59> But in both cases under discussion, the free software does not do what the user wants without the presence of a non- free web service [04/09/14 08:47] <Sparks> Again, Google Drive is not. That's what I see on my system. [04/09/14 08:47] <mjg59> But Google Drive doesn't end up on your system. [04/09/14 08:48] <mjg59> All the software on your system continues to be free [04/09/14 08:48] <number80> The point is to know if you're compelled to use proprietary services or run proprietary code in your own box :/ [04/09/14 08:48] <mjg59> Well, arguably this is an improvement [04/09/14 08:48] <number80> if it's no, the only thing we could object is using logo or trademarks :/ [04/09/14 08:48] <Sparks> But you are actively advertising a proprietary solution. Birdie isn't doing that. [04/09/14 08:48] <mjg59> The software center makes it clear that the web apps are proprietary [04/09/14 08:49] <mjg59> But we make no such clarification for tools that depend on proprietary web services [04/09/14 08:49] <mjg59> Sparks: How is Birdie not actively advertising a proprietary solution? [04/09/14 08:49] <Sparks> And if they are proprietary then they have no business being in the software center by default. [04/09/14 08:49] <Sparks> Because Birdie isn't called Twitter. [04/09/14 08:50] <mjg59> So despite it mentioning Twitter in its description, turning up when you search for Twitter and not working unless Twitter is available, it's not advertising a proprietary solution? [04/09/14 08:50] <Sparks> If you saw Birdie you wouldn't automatically think that we're pushing the Twitter service. [04/09/14 08:51] <mjg59> I don't think seeing anything in Fedora means we're pushing it [04/09/14 08:51] <Sparks> Not like Google Drive was as it came up without my even having to type Google [04/09/14 08:51] <Sparks> If anything pushing services makes it worse for Fedora [04/09/14 08:51] <mjg59> How are you seeing Google Drive without you even typing Google? [04/09/14 08:52] <Sparks> We're completely bypassing all FOSS solutions and going right to a proprietary solution. [04/09/14 08:52] <Sparks> If I type "write" to get LibreOffice Writer I see "Google Drive". [04/09/14 08:52] <mjg59> Could you please stay on a single line of discussion? [04/09/14 08:53] <Sparks> I'm just trying to answer your wide ranging questions [04/09/14 08:53] <number80> Sparks: this is a bug [04/09/14 08:53] <misc> mhh I think that in the case of google doc, there is lots of JS running on user systeml, while for twitter client, there is not [04/09/14 08:53] <mjg59> Sparks: If you type that where? [04/09/14 08:53] <number80> misc: the same when you're browsing the web [04/09/14 08:53] <misc> number80: yep [04/09/14 08:53] <Sparks> meta key [04/09/14 08:54] <mjg59> 14:25 < mjg59> If these appeared in the software center but not in the activities overview, would you have an objection? [04/09/14 08:54] <mjg59> 14:26 < Sparks> yes [04/09/14 08:54] <rdieter> this discussion is partly why I think worrying about webservices (yet?) is a lost cause (ie, it is a deep rathole to get lost in, and never dig your way out of) [04/09/14 08:54] <Sparks> mjg59: Just answering your questions. [04/09/14 08:54] <mjg59> So let's ignore that because it's not why you're unhappy [04/09/14 08:54] <number80> as long as you're not required to use proprietary services, we can only accept this [04/09/14 08:55] <number80> wether we like or not [04/09/14 08:55] <Sparks> rdieter: Which is why we shouldn't be advertising things we aren't shipping. [04/09/14 08:55] <rdieter> Sparks: I'm saying the boat has already sailed [04/09/14 08:56] <Sparks> rdieter: No, it's still firmly attached to the pier. This is the first time I've seen us provide links to proprietary solutions in our products by default. [04/09/14 08:56] <misc> number80: well, that's a bit a broad statement, when do we decide that we are required to use them ? [04/09/14 08:56] <Sparks> rdieter: And the first time for the original complaintant as well. [04/09/14 08:56] <rdieter> (I think, I'm still trying to wrap my brain around what my gut is telling me) [04/09/14 08:57] <rdieter> Sparks: theres a horrible slippery slope if you want to start categorizing webservices as ok or not [04/09/14 08:57] <number80> misc: a simple rule of thumb, any feature you were previously able to use without a proprietary services should still work [04/09/14 08:57] <Sparks> rdieter: By having these solutions readily available, by default, in our software center then we are actively saying that Fedora is okay with the use of proprietary solutions as long as they aren't on your computer. [04/09/14 08:57] <misc> number80: that doesn't take in account new feature [04/09/14 08:57] <misc> number80: nor when is "previosuly" [04/09/14 08:58] <Sparks> rdieter: Agreed and thus we shouldn't be offering up any webservices in our products. [04/09/14 08:58] <number80> misc: sure [04/09/14 08:58] <mjg59> Sparks: We already actively say that [04/09/14 08:58] <misc> number80: by that count, it would have been ok to have nvidia, since I couldn't have used with free driver before for 3d :) [04/09/14 08:58] <Sparks> mjg59: We actively say what? [04/09/14 08:58] <rdieter> Sparks: ok, that's the problem to solve then. waiting for your comprehensive proposal on how to handle that. :) [04/09/14 08:58] <mjg59> Sparks: That we're fine with the use of proprietary solutions as long as they aren't on your computer [04/09/14 08:58] <Sparks> rdieter: Don't do it. [04/09/14 08:59] <rdieter> so lets bounce all twitter clients, as mjg59 mentioned as an example [04/09/14 08:59] <EvilBob> Hang tight with me a second as I have not been following this much at all. Sparks you use the words "in our software center" is it a Fedora™ software center or does it come from someplace else actually like GNOME? [04/09/14 08:59] <Sparks> rdieter: The ones that can do twitter or only do twitter? [04/09/14 08:59] <rdieter> only twitter [04/09/14 08:59] <number80> misc: that would have broken another rule which is not to ship proprietary code within fedora ;) [04/09/14 08:59] <mjg59> I start Firefox on a fresh install. There's a box with "Google" in the top right corner. [04/09/14 09:00] <Sparks> EvilBob: It's a "software center" program. These things don't show up in yum. They are being pulled in with a file in GNOME. [04/09/14 09:00] <mjg59> How is that not promoting non-free web services? [04/09/14 09:00] <number80> mjg59: i agree with you for the web search feature (and the same goes with GNOME Online Accounts) [04/09/14 09:00] <Sparks> mjg59: I agree. [04/09/14 09:00] <EvilBob> Sparks: So it's not "our software center" it's GNOME's software center [04/09/14 09:00] <Sparks> EvilBob: Correct [04/09/14 09:00] <EvilBob> Sparks: So what business is it of Fedora™s? [04/09/14 09:01] <Sparks> EvilBob: AFAIK, GNOME is the only thing that has a "software center" [04/09/14 09:01] <Sparks> EvilBob: Because we're slapping our trademarks on it and shipping it? [04/09/14 09:01] <mjg59> Sparks: So any ruling we make about the availability of web apps in Gnome should also apply to Firefox? [04/09/14 09:01] <number80> since we could manipulate the metadata, couldn't we add a vrms-like package that allows us to ship a crap-free fedora by default ? [04/09/14 09:02] <Sparks> mjg59: I would think that any ruling should apply to Fedora [04/09/14 09:02] <number80> people who'd want to see proprietary apps could just remove it and we're done [04/09/14 09:02] <mjg59> Sparks: Ok. So the desktop team aren't actually doing something amazingly new here, they're just exposing what's been status-quo in Fedora? [04/09/14 09:02] <misc> what about deciding on case by case, seeing if the removal cripple the product or not ? [04/09/14 09:02] <rdieter> I'm starting to think if we want to be on the safe side of things, indeed, software center should indeed limit itself to fedora-only offerings (at least by default). I think our prior decision about 3rd party stuff allows for opt-in for additional content. [04/09/14 09:02] <Sparks> mjg59: Honestly, I'd be okay with having a check box somewhere that allows people to opt-in to seeing these solutions. [04/09/14 09:02] <EvilBob> If you want to be upset with and pissed off at the GNOMEs then go for it, just don't take ownership on behalf of Fedora in what they ship [04/09/14 09:03] <misc> ( cause I think firefox without a search engine would be crippled, I do not think software center would be less useful without them ) [04/09/14 09:03] <mjg59> EvilBob: It's our default desktop. Its behaviour is fundamental to how users perceive Fedora. [04/09/14 09:03] <Sparks> EvilBob: Yeah, what mjg59 said. [04/09/14 09:03] <mjg59> misc: "You can't use proprietary web services unless it would be really, really inconvenient" is difficult to justify from an ethical perspective [04/09/14 09:03] <EvilBob> mjg59: I don't disagree but who are we to tell them what they can and can't do? [04/09/14 09:03] <Sparks> misc: There are alternative search engines for Firefox [04/09/14 09:03] <mjg59> EvilBob: We're the Fedora board. [04/09/14 09:04] <EvilBob> mjg59: DO we tell KDE what they can and can't do? [04/09/14 09:04] <mjg59> EvilBob: Yes? [04/09/14 09:04] <rdieter> Sparks: ok, I think I'm swayed enough that this needs further scrutiny. I'm with you for now. [04/09/14 09:04] <EvilBob> SHould we? [04/09/14 09:04] <mjg59> EvilBob: Yes? [04/09/14 09:04] <mjg59> If KDE wanted to ship non-free code, we'd say no [04/09/14 09:04] <Sparks> EvilBob: There is no problem with GNOME creating their own downstream spin and calling it GNOME Desktop (or whatever). [04/09/14 09:05] <misc> mjg59: it is not that we do not permit to use them, but more that we do not advertise them [04/09/14 09:05] <mjg59> Sparks: I think you'll have difficulty convincing people that removing Google from Firefox is for the good of Fedora [04/09/14 09:05] <Sparks> rdieter: It's a tough argument to frame and I'm generally bad at framing my frustration (which makes me frustrated). [04/09/14 09:05] <misc> mjg59: people are kidna still free to do that [04/09/14 09:05] <EvilBob> Sparks: not until Red Hat trademarks the word Desktop [04/09/14 09:05] <EvilBob> ;) [04/09/14 09:05] <Sparks> mjg59: *shrug* [04/09/14 09:05] <Sparks> EvilBob: You can't trademark "Desktop" [04/09/14 09:05] <Sparks> so you won't have to worry about htat. [04/09/14 09:05] <Sparks> that [04/09/14 09:05] <number80> Someone trademarked the word "windows" ;) [04/09/14 09:06] <misc> another softer solution could be "we are ok, but we do not want to have the feature to be hilighted" ? [04/09/14 09:06] <EvilBob> number80: Shhhh [04/09/14 09:06] <Sparks> number80: Yes, in a very particular case. Notice they didn't trademark "workstation" [04/09/14 09:06] <number80> misc: +1 [04/09/14 09:06] <EvilBob> number80: Don't disrupt his roll [04/09/14 09:06] <EvilBob> LOL [04/09/14 09:06] <number80> :) [04/09/14 09:07] <Sparks> EvilBob: Seriously. I'll happily send you the law book that talks about this stuff. It'll put you right to sleep. [04/09/14 09:07] <Sparks> number80: You don't see "windows" trademarked for ... you know... a clear building material [04/09/14 09:07] <Sparks> number80: But that's a different topic altogether. [04/09/14 09:07] <misc> so you could trademark desktop for a car :) [04/09/14 09:08] <Sparks> misc: Probably [04/09/14 09:08] <misc> ( then my desktop crashed would take a new meaning ) [04/09/14 09:08] <number80> mmm [04/09/14 09:08] <Sparks> misc: +1 [04/09/14 09:08] <EvilBob> We as Fedora™ are consumers of the upstream products. We can choose to use these upstream products or not. I do not feel it is our place to tell them what they can or can't do with their product. We can tell them why we choose to not use them however. [04/09/14 09:08] <Sparks> misc: It's all rather silly, really. It has to be unique and then it can't become common. [04/09/14 09:08] <EvilBob> Good luck dropping GNOME. [04/09/14 09:08] <misc> Sparks: I know [04/09/14 09:09] <number80> This is probably an evil plan from the GNOME OS folks [04/09/14 09:09] <rdieter> EvilBob: I dont think thats an accurate description of what is being discussed. it's not an all or nothing deal here [04/09/14 09:09] <Sparks> misc: I think I'll go have some Jello... errr.. I mean gelatan (I can't spell it so Jell-O it is!). [04/09/14 09:09] <mjg59> EvilBob: We're not choosing to not use Gnome [04/09/14 09:10] <Sparks> EvilBob: Plus, it's all FOSS so we can change anything we like in Gnome and ship it. [04/09/14 09:10] <EvilBob> rdieter: You are probably correct, but I am so used to seeing that I assumed it. [04/09/14 09:10] <EvilBob> Sparks: We can... but SHOULD we? [04/09/14 09:10] <EvilBob> mjg59: Why not? [04/09/14 09:11] <EvilBob> mjg59: Don't get me wrong I am a happy GNOME3 /GNOME-Shell user. [04/09/14 09:11] <Sparks> EvilBob: Sure, why not? We customize the desktop art, why not the functionality to make things "perfect"? [04/09/14 09:12] <EvilBob> If all y'all want to flex your muscles and be tough guys, then do it, follow through... "GNOME we don't like how you have done things and the way you are going, have a nice day" [04/09/14 09:12] <Sparks> EvilBob: I did have a question I was going to ask in #fedora but since you're here... Are you running GNOME 3.12? I'm seeing something wierd with my terminal window. [04/09/14 09:12] <EvilBob> Sparks: No, I don't like the copr idea [04/09/14 09:12] <Sparks> EvilBob: Fair enough [04/09/14 09:13] <Sparks> EvilBob: I don't either but that's where the bits were... [04/09/14 09:16] <EvilBob> Sparks: So your issue about "Google Drive" could be solved with the addition of two words I think if it became "Free Google Drive Client" would that be acceptable? [04/09/14 09:17] * EvilBob hates the way they "rename" things for their pretty tools as it is. [04/09/14 09:18] <mjg59> EvilBob: Because the workstation WG has decided to use Gnome. [04/09/14 09:19] <EvilBob> mjg59: But as was pointed out already, so what you are the Fedora™ Board [04/09/14 09:19] <EvilBob> mjg59: It's pretty ironic that the GNOMEs that make up most of the "Workstation WG" picked GNOME... [04/09/14 09:19] <mjg59> EvilBob: The choice of Gnome is a technical decision. It's not the board's place to overrule it. [04/09/14 09:20] <EvilBob> "technical" I can buy, Technical I can not. [04/09/14 09:21] <EvilBob> Hell even calling it a financial decision I can stomach a lot more than calling it a technical decision [04/09/14 09:22] <EvilBob> At least it's not hidden behind a lie that way [04/09/14 09:22] <EvilBob> ;) [04/09/14 09:23] <jreznik> well, it should go far beyond gnome only [04/09/14 09:24] <jreznik> the platform is going to be more technology agnostic [04/09/14 09:24] <jreznik> and I hope we will get this in the upper level too one day [04/09/14 09:24] <number80> EvilBob: not everyone here has a certain person as their N+2 ;) [04/09/14 09:25] <number80> even if he were mine, I'm not used to be "nice" with my own bosses ;) [04/09/14 09:26] <EvilBob> ;) [04/09/14 09:32] <EvilBob> number80: I got fired from my last full time job a decade ago for telling my boss what I thought, BEST thing that ever happened to me. [04/09/14 09:33] <EvilBob> Well it was never clear if it was for telling him what I thought or for busting the lock out of his office door when he would not answer it... [04/09/14 09:34] <number80> well, currently waiting to move to the next job }}} -- Ticket URL: <https://fedorahosted.org/board/ticket/182#comment:11> Fedora Board issue tracker <http://fedorahosted.org/board> Issue tracking for the Fedora Board _______________________________________________ advisory-board mailing list advisory-board@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx https://admin.fedoraproject.org/mailman/listinfo/advisory-board