[Please don't send me copies of messages to the list.]
Sorry, but I can't keep track of who is or isn't subscribed to this list. It is normal practise to always CC everyone.
What do you think of the suggestion made to draw lines similar to those drawn by the Debian project: "free", "free but currently depends on non-free", "non-free".
A bad idea, since just like Debian, you end up recommending and condoning non-free software by recommending businesses that perform unethical practises.
I don't see how you make this connection. Why would a classification as I suggested necessarily "end up" as a recommendation?
Since these companies will be listed as GBN friendly companies (with a little sign saying something about their "status"), you tell users that these companies are OK. When infact, they are not, since they recommend/develop non-free software. What is the point to classify businesses that do something that is not acceptable?
Cheers (and bed time for me)