Free Software - the Definition :: Definition Free Software Essays

Free Software - the DefinitionFree in Free Software is referring to freedom, non price. Having been used in this meaning since the 80s, the start documented complete definition appears to be the GNUs Bulletin, vol. 1 no. 6 , published January 1989. In particular, four freedoms define Free Software 1The freedom to rivulet the course of instruction, for any purpose.Placing restrictions on the use of Free Software, such as time (30 days trial period, license expires January 1st, 2004), purpose (permission granted for inquiry and non-commercial use) or an arbitrary limitation of geographic area (must not be used in country X) makes a course non-free. The freedom to body of work how the program works, and adapt it to your needs.Placing legal or practical restrictions on the comprehension or modification of a program, such as mandatory purchase of modified licenses, signing of a Non-Disclosure-Agreement (NDA) or - for programming languages that have multiple forms or representatio n - making the preferred human way of comprehending and editing a program (source code) inaccessible excessively makes it proprietary (non-free). Without the freedom to modify a program, people will remain at the mercy of a single vendor. The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor.Software can be copied/distributed at virtually no cost. If you are not concedeed to give a program to a person in need, that makes a program non-free. This can be done for a charge, if you so choose. The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements to the public, so that the unscathed community benefits.Not everyone is an equally good programmer in all fields. Some people dont know how to program at all. This freedom allows those who do not have the time or skills to solve a problem to indirectly access the freedom to modify. This can be done for a charge. These freedoms are rights, not obligations, although respecting these freedoms for society may at times oblig e the individual. Any person can choose to not make use of them, but may also choose to make use of all of them. In particular, it should be understood that Free Software does not exclude commercial use. If a program fails to allow commercial use and commercial distribution, it is not Free Software. Indeed a growing number of companies base their business model completely or at least partially on Free Software, including some of the largest proprietary software vendors.