[ZooLib-dev] Documentation licenses at Advogato

[Michael D. C. <cra...@go...>]

I use the GNU Free Documentation License for The ZooLib Cookbook.  It seems that 
the Debian Linux distribution has some objections to the GFDL, and is now taking 
action to remove GFDL-licensed documents from its "main" distribution.

I would like Debian to eventually include both ZooLib (whose MIT license is 
acceptable to Debian) and The ZooLib Cookbook, so I need to change the license. 
  I'm not sure what license to use though.  I think the MIT license is 
appropriate for the source code but I don't feel that way about my documentation.

I just submitted an article called "Which License for Free Documentation?" to 
http://advogato.org/  in order to ask for advice.  The full text and followup 
discussion are at http://advogato.org/article/682.html

Among other things, Debian objects to the GFDL's allowance for cover texts, 
because they cannot be changed in derivative works.  Presently The ZooLib 
Cookbook has this cover text (which must be printed on the cover of any 
dead-tree editions that may ever be printed):

"Part of the ZooLib cross-platform application framework at www.zoolib.org"

This simple cover text by itself is enough for Debian to refuses its inclusion.

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Mike
-- 
Michael D. Crawford
GoingWare Inc. - Expert Software Development and Consulting
http://www.goingware.com
cra...@go...

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