vrms

List non-free and contrib packages (and their description)

$ vrms

$ vrms --sparse

vrms [OPTIONS]

-s, --summary
    Displays only the summary of free, contrib, and non-free packages, without listing individual non-free packages.

-e, --excluded
    Shows packages that are normally excluded from the report, such as those from the 'non-free-firmware' section, providing a more comprehensive view of all potentially non-free components.

-a, --all
    Lists all installed packages, categorizing each as free, contrib, or non-free. This provides a complete inventory of software freedom status on the system.

-h, --help
    Displays a brief help message explaining the command's usage and options, then exits.

-v, --version
    Outputs the version information of the vrms utility and then exits.

The vrms command, short for Virtual Richard M. Stallman, is a utility specific to Debian and Debian-derived operating systems. Its primary function is to scan the list of installed software packages and identify those that are classified as 'non-free' according to the
Debian Free Software Guidelines (DFSG).

When executed, vrms typically lists each non-free package found, along with a concise explanation for its classification. Following the detailed list, it provides a summary indicating the total number of free, 'contrib' (free software that depends on non-free components), and non-free packages installed on the system.

The tool serves as an educational and philosophical reminder within the Debian community, encouraging users to be aware of and ideally remove non-free software, aligning their systems with the principles of software freedom championed by Richard M. Stallman and the Free Software Foundation. It does not remove packages, but rather informs the user about their presence.

The vrms command is primarily designed for and most relevant to Debian and its derivatives (like Ubuntu, Mint). Its classification of 'non-free' software strictly adheres to the Debian Free Software Guidelines (DFSG), which may differ from definitions used by other distributions or organizations. It is an informational tool and does not provide functionality to remove or manage packages directly. The report relies on the package metadata provided by the Debian archive and the installed package database.

The vrms command bases its classification of 'free' and 'non-free' software on the Debian Free Software Guidelines (DFSG). These guidelines are a set of criteria that Debian uses to determine whether a license is free enough for software to be included in the 'main' archive section of Debian. Software that does not meet these criteria is typically placed in the 'non-free' or 'contrib' sections, which vrms then reports on.

Beyond its technical function, vrms serves a significant philosophical purpose within the Debian community. It acts as a gentle reminder and educational tool for users to be aware of the software they are running. By highlighting non-free components, it encourages users to consider the ethical implications of using such software and promotes the adoption of truly free alternatives, aligning with the broader free software movement.

The vrms command was developed specifically for the Debian project, reflecting Debian's strong and long-standing commitment to free software principles. Its name, Virtual Richard M. Stallman, is a tribute to Richard M. Stallman, the founder of the Free Software Foundation and a leading advocate for software freedom. The utility has been a part of Debian for many years, serving as a symbolic and educational tool to help users understand and comply with the Debian Free Software Guidelines (DFSG) by identifying non-free components on their systems.

dpkg(1), apt(8), debian-policy(7)