The Debian Social Contract (DSC) is a document that frames the moral agenda of the
Debian
Debian () is a free and open-source software, free and open source Linux distribution, developed by the Debian Project, which was established by Ian Murdock in August 1993. Debian is one of the oldest operating systems based on the Linux kerne ...
project. The values outlined in the Social Contract provide the basic principles for the
Debian Free Software Guidelines
''The Open Source Definition'' (OSD) is a policy document published by the Open Source Initiative. Derived from the Debian Free Software Guidelines written by Bruce Perens, the definition is the most common standard for open-source software. ...
that serve as the basis of the
Open Source Definition
''The Open Source Definition'' (OSD) is a policy document published by the Open Source Initiative. Derived from the Debian Free Software Guidelines written by Bruce Perens, the definition is the most common standard for open-source software. ...
.
Debian believes the makers of a
free software
Free software, libre software, libreware sometimes known as freedom-respecting software is computer software distributed open-source license, under terms that allow users to run the software for any purpose as well as to study, change, distribut ...
operating system should provide guarantees when a user entrusts them with control of a computer. These guarantees include:
*Ensuring that the operating system remains open and free.
*Giving improvements back to the community that made the operating system possible.
*Not hiding problems with the software or organization.
*Staying focused on the users and the software that started the phenomenon.
*Making it possible for the software to be used with non-free software.
History
The idea of the DSC was first proposed by Ean Schuessler after a conversation with
Bob Young, co-founder of
Red Hat
Red Hat, Inc. (formerly Red Hat Software, Inc.) is an American software company that provides open source software products to enterprises and is a subsidiary of IBM. Founded in 1993, Red Hat has its corporate headquarters in Raleigh, North ...
. Schuessler said Red Hat should issue a set of guidelines that would guarantee to the community as the company expanded it would always be committed to the ideals of
Free Software
Free software, libre software, libreware sometimes known as freedom-respecting software is computer software distributed open-source license, under terms that allow users to run the software for any purpose as well as to study, change, distribut ...
. Young said this would be a "kiss of death" for Red Hat, implying it would constrain the company's ability to generate profit. Concerned about Young's response, Schuessler and other Debian developers decided to broach the idea of a "social contract" that would supplement Debian's initial manifesto written by
Ian Murdock.
Bruce Perens
Bruce Perens (born around 1958) is an American computer programmer and advocate in the free software movement. He created ''The Open Source Definition'' and published the first formal announcement and manifesto of open source. He co-founded the ...
later led the effort from June 1997 to coordinate the creation of the DSC using the
Free Software Definition as its basis.
The Debian project ratified its social contract 1.0 on July 5, 1997.
References
External links
Debian Social Contract
{{Debian
Social Contract
In moral and political philosophy, the social contract is an idea, theory, or model that usually, although not always, concerns the legitimacy of the authority of the state over the individual. Conceptualized in the Age of Enlightenment, it ...