What is Free and Open Source Software  Home ToC Prev Up Next 
Introduction
Principles
+Free Software Definition
Terminology
Considerations
F.L.O.S.S. vs. Proprietary  Software
Free Software
Proprietary software
Examples of Free Software
Geopolitics of Software Industry
History
"Sociology" of the movement
Legal considerations
Choosing Free/OpenSource software
Why address this question in classes at INT
Miscelleanous
Appendices
  

Free Software Definition

Think about free speech or free trade , not free beer !

It's a matter of freedom, not price.

Definition : a program is Free Software only when there are 4 Freedoms for the Public[3] :

  1. Freedom to run the program, for any purpose

  2. Freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs

  3. Freedom to redistribute copies

  4. Freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements
Copyright © 2003 GET (Groupe des Ecoles des Télécommunications)  Prev Next 

[3] definition borrowed from the FSF (http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html)