"open-source" x "free software"

[John Cowan]

Guilherme C. Hazan scripsit:

> Since i already misunderstood the concept of "open-source" (which does not
> only means source-code-available, but also requires-free-distribution), are
> there any other concepts behind "free software", except that they are free

The four freedoms of free software:

0) The freedom to run the program for any purpose
1) The freedom to study the source code and adapt it to your needs
2) The freedom to redistribute copies
3) The freedom to improve the program and release your improvements publicly
Freedoms 1 and 3 imply that the source code is freely accessible.

The principles of open-source software:

1) Freely redistributable
2) Source code available
3-4) Derivative works (or at least patches) can be made and distributed
5-6) No discrimination against persons, groups, or fields of endeavor
7-8) All who receive the program (no matter how) are covered by the license
9) The program must be distributable along with programs under other licenses
10) License provisions must not depend on specific technologies

-- 
There are three kinds of people in the world:   John Cowan
those who can count,                            http://www.reutershealth.com
and those who can't.                            jcowan at reutershealth.com
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