Alfred M. Szmidt wrote:
(d) And even this one, in some forms, is not really free as MJR has reminded us. (According to RMS in http://www.ofb.biz/modules.php?name=News&file=print&sid=353, "To use Firefox as free software, you have to build it yourself from the source code."
What he means is that the binaries as distributed by Mozilla are not-free (they include a non-free bug reporting tool). Ututo-e for example contains a Firefox, you don't need to compile that your self.
Even assuming that build is really free (which would contradict RMS's statement, when read strictly, but I can't comment on it myself ATM);
I don't see why it would.
He said you *have* to build it from source, without mentioning the possibility of getting a version built from source via other routes. This might imply that such distribution is illegal (as would be the case, e.g., with a GPL program requiring a non-GPL-compatible library; you can build it and use it yourself, but you can't distribute the binary at all). As I said, this is reading the statement strictly, but considering that RMS is not entirely unfamiliar with such fine distinctions, one could come to this conclusion.
One of the many reasons why GNUzilla and IceWeasel exists, http://www.gnu.org/s/gnuzilla/. That page also briefly explains the other problems with Firefox (even if you compile it from source, it can install non-free plugins).
It's good they exist, but it's not really a reason for the web site requiring Firefox. In fact, if this requirement was because of freedom (and not accidental due to the site's implementation, as I suppose), they would probably require IceWeasel right away (or some other free browser).
Ward Vandewege wrote:
For the record, I've tested:
Firefox Konqueror Safari (on OS X)
All of these browsers work.
Nobody doubts that these browsers work (-; you know, in a discussion with Alfred M. Szmidt you have to be very careful about your choice of words), but the comments page doesn't. I just tried with Konqueror (as installed in Knoppix 4.0.2) -- it shows the colours, but when I press "c" after marking some text, nothing happens. MJR has reported that it doesn't even work with Firefox when changing the name string.
Frank