Re: [Xorg] Re: [Fontconfig] adding/distributing new fonts

[Ambrose Li <acli ada dhs org>]

Hi,

On Sat, Aug 07, 2004 at 08:45:57AM +0900, Soon-Son Kwon wrote:

> I think font is something like picture or novel which does
> not need to be freely modified. The font designers won't like
> that though some will. I remember that in the current xorg
> distribution, modifiable/non-modifiable fonts are mixed.

I agree that the designers won't like it, but I disagree that
fonts need not be freely modified. I can see a couple of reasons
why free fonts should be freely modifiable like free software:

1. to correct bugs in the font (e.g., wrong character in a CJK
   font), and

2. to make other relatively easy improvements (e.g., by merging
   a Big5 and a GB font to improve the Unicode coverage)

>From a sort-of user point of view, it would be fine enough if
the designers can be contacted (so the improvements can be
sent), but I have run into fonts where I don't know who the
designer is.

Cheers,

-- 
Ambrose LI Cheuk-Wing  <a c li ieee org>

http://ada.dhs.org/~acli/