Sunday, May 30, 2004

The distinction between free and open software


This post by Zef Hemel explains the difference between open source and free software. Technoflak is still learning about this, and hesitates to weigh in with an opinion.

However, it is worth remembering that the GPL License came out of the free software movement and their philosophy that living in freedom means using free software. Technoflak believes that when you agree to a license, you should adhere to its terms. If that means paying money and restricting your use, so be it. If that means not charging for any product you build using products covered by a GPL license, then that is what you have agreed to. The whole structure of the free enterprise system will come to pieces if we all decide to make up the rules as we go along.

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