May 13, 2008
When a program is free but not copylefted, some copies or modified versions may actually not be free. Non-copylefted free software comes from the author with permission to redistribute and modify while also adding restrictions to it. A software company can compile the program and distribute the executable file as a proprietary software product, with or without modifications.
The GNU Project from which Linux comes from promotes copylefting of almost all the written software to ensure that every user gets all the freedom implied by the term “free software”. There are many possible ways of writing copyleft distribution terms thus there can be many copyleft free software licenses. However, different copy licenses are usually incompatible.
The Thin Line Between Open Source and Free Software
May 11, 2008
Open source and free software are terms associated with Linux. Open source is often taken to be more or less in the same category as free software. In truth, they are not exactly the same class of software since open source can accept licenses that may be considered too restrictive by free software while there are also free software licenses that are not acceptable to open source.
The distinction can be very hard to see since nearly all free software is open source and vice versa. However, the term “free software” also refers to freedom in use which “open source” cannot claim to offer.
The Fedora Project – A Mindset
May 6, 2008
Fedora is a Linux-based operating system which can be used, modified and distributed by anyone for free. People across the globe are working together as a community in this project known as the Fedora Project. The Fedora operating system is considered the best combination of robust and latest software that presently exist in the free software world.
Doing the right thing is what its mindset is all about and this means providing free and open software and content without the encumbrance of software patents. Fedora is for the rapid progress of the free and open source option believing that something that is once free should always be free. The project is open to anyone who wishes to join.
May 4, 2008
“Selling” and “Free” are two words that may create some confusion when used together. How on earth can something be free when it is being sold? Selling a copy of a free program is legitimate in every aspect. The distinction is drawn when software developers do it in a way similar to that being done with proprietary software.
The GNU General Public License (GNU-GPL), which produced the Linux OS, has no requirements about how much can be charged for distributing a copy of free software. The price would depend on the “seller” and the marketplace. The GNU-GPL takes exception in cases where binaries are distributed without the corresponding complete source code to ensure the users’ freedom.
