Open Source vs. Free Software

[billy_gates]

What is the difference, and do they have different license aggreements? and does the term GNU only apply to one of these?  I'm kind of confused, the only thing I really know is that people fly the phrase "Free Speech, Not Free Beer."  What does this mean?  Does it apply to both Open Source and Free Software or to only one?  Please, answers in proper MLA essay format would be nice.  Just Kidding.  I would like a quick and to the point answer if possible.  If you feel you must elaborate, please do so after the quick and to the point answer.  Also, please don't flame me, I said I wouldn't come back to the linux board but this question has been bothering me too long.  Please don't call me an ignorant mac user or something, I just don't know the difference.  I promise in return I won't say anything bad about either of these two things.

[Pantso]

It would be best for you to go to the Open Source Initiative's page and the Free Software Foundation's page to read about the differences.

According though to both of them there are differences between the two movements, which at least to me are not very clear. The point is that OSI derived from FSF in 1998 and perplexed things much more unfortunately for us all. So, if someone is to blame that is the OSI.

I personally use the term free software, that is the right to use, share and distribute as outlined by the Free Software Foundation.

The best would be though, to visit both sites and read these for yourself.  

[slave]

http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-software-for-freedom.html

[slave]

quote:Join us now and share the software!

...You'll be free, hackers, you'll be free.

Hoarders may get piles of money,
That is true, hackers, that is true.
But they cannot help their neighbors;
That's not good, hackers, that's not good.

When we have enough free software
At our call, hackers, at our call,
We'll throw out those dirty licenses
Ever more, hackers, ever more.

Join us now and share the software;
You'll be free, hackers, you'll be free.

[Calum]

where can i download that agin? i seem to have lost the link

[flap]

Free software refers to the freedom of the users of a piece of software to change, share and redistribute that software. These freedoms include (from gnu.org):

 

quote:The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).
The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor (freedom 2).
The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements to the public, so that the whole community benefits (freedom 3). Access to the source code is a precondition for this.

The Open Source philosopohy basically only demands freedom 1 (the freedom to study the source code), and even then only partially. This is because the Open Source movement is only really interested in the immediate practical benefits of making source code available. They're not interested in the other freedoms. Open Source is a small subset of the ideas of Free Software and it doesn't go far enough.

In terms of how the two philosophies can be applied to different licences; well, the GPL, for example, is a free software licence. Essentially the only restriction with GPL code is that it cannot be incorporated into non-free programs. The Apple APSL licence, on the other hand, is an "open source" licence. While you have the right to study the source code, there are a number of restrictions that make it non-free.

If you're 'ignorant', or confused, it's because the open source movement has confused the issue with their apolitical philosophy. To avoid confusion, I would suggest to people that they forget "open source" and promote Free Software instead.