Debian to Stallman: Mono Not Default

Jul 03, 2009

In a response to Richard Stallman's open letter warning about introducing Mono into Linux, Debian made it clear that no plans are indeed forthcoming to adopt Mono-based programs into the default installation of its free Linux platform.

Debian developer and spokesperson Alexandre Reichle-Schmehl reacted in a blog entry to FSF founder Stallman's open letter of June 26, "Why free software shouldn't depend on Mono or C#", Stallman had especially targeted the Debian GNU/Linux distro for its inclusion of Tomboy software, which uses Microsoft's .NET-compatible Mono, in an unstable branch.

As precise as Stallman's language can be, it may have been based on a misunderstanding, according to Reichle-Schmehl. He counters Stallman's statement that Debian is "not to include Mono in the default installation, for the sake of Tomboy"; with, "The default GNOME installation... hasn't changed. It still installs a more or less minimal Gnome Desktop without Tomboy and without Mono" He admits that the Tomboy note-taking software has become part of a meta-package that depends on Tomboy "and will indeed pull in Mono, too," but has no effect on the standard installation.

Opponents of the Mono-based software fear that Microsoft might lay patent claims against Mono implementations. While the Ubuntu technical board doesn't foresee any problems in that respect, the Fedora community is playing it safe by installing Gnote, a Mono alternative, in GNOME 2.28 by default.

Related content

  • Mono Back and Forth: Already Part of GNOME Standard Installation in Lenny

    The Debian community has been arguing over the last few weeks about whether Mono should be part of the standard Debian installation. Now it appears that it has already been an integral part of the sofware ever since Lenny.

    more »
  • Mono Discussion: Stallman Warns, Ubuntu Dismissive

    The introduction of Mono into Linux and the open source environment begs risking patent claims from Microsoft. Free Software Foundation founder Richard Stallman sees it that way. The Technical board at Ubuntu, on the other hand, doesn't consider it any reason to be disturbed.

    more »
  • Debian gets Mono Software via Tomboy

    Ever since more and more Mono programmed applications such as Banshee, Gnome Do, and F Sport took over the Gnome desktop, the opposition to the .NET implementation has been getting more and more up in arms.

    more »
  • Mod_Mono

    Mod_Mono lets you host .NET applications on your Linux Apache 2 server.

    more »
comments powered by Disqus

Issue 210/2018

Buy this issue as a PDF

Digital Issue: Price $9.99
(incl. VAT)

DevOps

News

Tag Cloud

Administration Community Events Hardware Linux Linux New Media Linux Pro Magazine Mobile Programming Software Ubuntu Web Development Windows free software open source
njobs Europe
What:
Where:
Country:
Njobs Netherlands Njobs Deutschland Njobs United Kingdom Njobs Italia Njobs France Njobs Espana Njobs Poland
Njobs Austria Njobs Denmark Njobs Belgium Njobs Czech Republic Njobs Mexico Njobs India Njobs Colombia