Currently, the 'truetype' USE variable seems to be used for quite different things: truetype support in applications and libraries, and inclusion of the Microsoft core fonts when installing X. I'd suggest to put the Microsoft fonts in a separate ebuild, and not use the 'truetype' variable for them. (Another solution that would require less work would be to simply make a new USE variable only for those fonts.) I think this would be better for two reasons: it would make the result of enabling 'truetype' more logical, and it conforms better with one the goals of Gentoo (i.e. keeping the core system free; who doesn't want truetype support?). Thanks, Aurelus Reproducible: Always Steps to Reproduce: 1. Enable 'truetype' USE variable. 2. Emerge xfree. Actual Results: Microsoft fonts installed.
i agree, i always thought of it as a bit odd. xfree uses and installs freetype anyway and the core xfree package already comes with a couple of TTF fonts.
foser you wanna take this one? we gonna move them to a separate ebuild?
The last time I checked, the MS Fonts are "Free". You're free to use them & free to disribute them (as long as you maintain the packagaing). They are as free as free gets. Look, if we are trying to target new users, let's not punish them by denying them decent looking fonts. Yes, XFree comes with some, albeit marginal (at best), TT fonts. So, if we're going to do this, I insist we put the new use flag in the default useflags and leave it to the people who don't want them to turn it off. Again, I think it is in the best interest of our users to provide a wide range of decent fonts. So what if they come from Microsoft? Seth, as a student of law, does Gentoo really have anything to fear? What I do fear is people being soured towards Gentoo because we don't have pretty fonts like they are used to.
alright i can't say this bothers me that much...if we wanna break it off, break it off...regardless, i think its time we get gentoo to use nice fonts =)
The ebuild contains the following text concerning these files: "Need windows license to use this one". Since not everybody has such a license, the current ebuild causes people to break the law. I'd suggest to use the nowin USE variable for this one (or more logical a new windows USE variable). People who don't have a Windows license can than turn off the use of the Microsoft fonts.
What ebuild exactly are you talking about ?
> What ebuild exactly are you talking about ? All recent x11-base/xfree ebuilds.
That one is referring to the last commented out SRC. That fonts does not fall under the same license as the others.
You're right, that changes the situation. I still think the best distribution method is to give a choice, because the other MS fonts are non-free.
this is fixed in recent xorg-x11 ebuilds.
