Free Software
Free Software is a movement that promotes the rights of users to use, study, share, and modify software. The term "free" refers to freedom, not price, encapsulated in the phrase "free as in free speech, not as in free beer."
History and Context
The concept of Free Software was formalized by Richard Stallman in 1983 when he launched the GNU Project. Stallman's goal was to create a completely free operating system, which led to the development of the GNU General Public License (GPL), the most widely used Free Software License. Here are some key milestones:
- 1983: Richard Stallman announces the GNU Project.
- 1985: Stallman founds the Free Software Foundation (FSF) to support the development of the GNU system.
- 1989: The first version of the GNU General Public License (GPL) is released, defining the legal framework for Copyleft software.
- 1991: Linux kernel is released by Linus Torvalds, which, combined with GNU tools, forms a complete free operating system, often referred to as GNU/Linux.
Four Essential Freedoms
The Free Software Foundation defines the essence of Free Software through four freedoms:
- The freedom to run the program as you wish, for any purpose (freedom 0).
- The freedom to study how the program works, and change it so it does your computing as you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
- The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help others (freedom 2).
- The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions to others (freedom 3). By doing this you can give the whole community a chance to benefit from your changes. Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
Free Software licenses like the GPL ensure that software remains free even when it is modified or distributed. This concept, known as Copyleft, aims to preserve these freedoms for all users. However, Free Software does not preclude commercial use; many companies use, contribute to, or distribute free software for profit while respecting these freedoms.
Community and Culture
The Free Software community is characterized by:
- Volunteer contributions and collaboration.
- Development through meritocracy rather than hierarchy.
- A culture of openness, transparency, and peer review.
Impact
The impact of Free Software includes:
- Widespread adoption in server operating systems, notably with Linux.
- Influence on other open source models like Open Source Software.
- Encouragement of software innovation through community-driven development.
- Advocacy for user rights and digital freedom.
Sources
See Also