Term FREE in Open Source Software

Term FREE in Open Source Software

Free software is simply software that respects our freedom — our freedom to learn and understand the software we are using. Free software is designed to free the user from restrictions put in place by proprietary software, and so using free software lets you join a global community of people who are making the political and ethical assertion of our rights to learn and to share what we learn with others. 

 The free software GNU operating system, which began development in 1984 is now used by millions of people worldwide as an alternative to both Microsoft Windows and Apple's Mac OS X operating systems.

Because most software we buy or download from the web denies us these rights, we can look at the reasons why: usually we don't actually buy ownership of the software but instead, receive a license to use the software, binding us with many fine-print rules about what we can and cannot do.

We should be able to make copies of software and give them to our friends, we should be able to figure out how programs work and change them, we should be able to put copies of software on all the computers in our home or office — these are all things that software licenses are traditionally designed to prevent.

Enter the free software movement: groups of individuals in collaboration over the Internet and in local groups, working together for the rights of computer users worldwide, creating new software to replace the bad licenses on your computer with community built software that removes the restrictions put in place and creates new and exciting ways to use computers for social good.

What is Free/Open Source Software?

Free/Open Source Software is a computer software whose source code is available under a license that permits users to use, change, and improve the software, and to redistribute it in modified or unmodified form. It is often developed in a public, collaborative manner.

Features of Free Software

• The freedom to run the program, for any purpose
• The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to local needs
• The freedom to redistribute copies so others can benefit from the software
• The freedom to improve the program, and release the improved version to the public, so that the community can benefit