It's hard to distinguish which software is proprietary (can hurt user's freedom) and which is not. Even more, software manager shows proprietary software as a cool thing, that you should install and there is flathub, where free/libre apps are mixed with non-free. I think proprietary software should be visibly marked in software manager, so users can be aware what software are they using, and know the consequences, for example loss of privacy.
Oooorrr we can add skype, visual code studio, office and other M$ programs, so it can take over free software and kill it. *Richard Stallman crying*
Software Manager should warn users about proprietary software
Forum rules
Do not post support questions here. Before you post read: Where to post ideas & feature requests
Do not post support questions here. Before you post read: Where to post ideas & feature requests
Software Manager should warn users about proprietary software
Last edited by Pigeon on Mon Jan 08, 2018 3:20 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Re: Software Manager should warn users about proprietary software
I think that if you mark them explicitly as proprietary, you should also clearly state alternatives. Otherwise, what's the merit of knowing that they are proprietary if the manager doesn't tell me about alternatives.
Join us on the Linux Mint Telegram group.
Re: Software Manager should warn users about proprietary software
Maybe it could implement the osalt.com lists or so:
Be aware that using non-FOSS software not automatically results in "loss of privacy" but that there is a considerable risk due to the lack of assessability.[softwarename] is proprietary software, i.e. it does not make its source available under a FOSS license (GPL3, MIT, ...). Using proprietary software has some disadvantages such as [...]. Click here if you need more information. There might be free alternatives to [softwarename] such as:
Re: Software Manager should warn users about proprietary software
That they possibly derive your freedom?Otherwise, what's the merit of knowing that they are proprietary if the manager doesn't tell me about alternatives.
Not everyone considers the existence (or not) of so-called 'alternatives' as much important as you do.
Re: Software Manager should warn users about proprietary software
+1 for marking as proprietary and displaying alternatives.
- catweazel
- Level 19
- Posts: 9763
- Joined: Fri Oct 12, 2012 9:44 pm
- Location: Australian Antarctic Territory
Re: Software Manager should warn users about proprietary software
+1thx-1138 wrote: Not everyone considers the existence (or not) of so-called 'alternatives' as much important as you do.
"There is, ultimately, only one truth -- cogito, ergo sum -- everything else is an assumption." - Me, my swansong.
Re: Software Manager should warn users about proprietary software
Displaying alternatives is also a good idea! +1
Re: Software Manager should warn users about proprietary software
I think it's a great idea to make it clearer which software is proprietary, and I don't think it's necessary per se to point out alternatives. It would be nice, for sure, but in my eyes the first thing does not hinge on the second.
If your issue is solved, kindly indicate that by editing the first post in the topic, and adding [SOLVED] to the title. Thanks!
Re: Software Manager should warn users about proprietary software
I suspect very few users care if a piece of software is proprietary, and those that do are well informed on which few of the apps in the store are as such.