Differences between version 4 and revision by previous author of OpenSource.
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| Newer page: | version 4 | Last edited on Monday, April 26, 2004 11:59:31 pm | by AristotlePagaltzis | Revert |
| Older page: | version 3 | Last edited on Monday, December 15, 2003 11:59:52 am | by JohnMcPherson | Revert |
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
-OpenSource generally refers
to Software released an
the [GNU] or similar license
.
+OpenSource means the SourceCode
to the software is available
.
-Basically it means that
the source code
is available to anyone and you can modify
it to do what you like
.
+It often refers to Software released under
the [GNU] or a similar license, and thus overlaps with the "FreeSoftware" term. However, the two should not be confused, as OpenSource software may be non-[Free], even non-[free]. Examples include commercial versions of [Unix] or [Java], of which the SourceCode
is available, but third parties are not allowed
to distribute
it.
-Compare [Free] and
FreeSoftware.
+DebianLinux has a "nonfree" section for software that the project may legally distribute but which does not meet the project's definition of
FreeSoftware. This includes many OpenSource programs
.
-Not all software that is OpenSource is also
Free though... for example, some software (such as old proprietary Unixes, or SunMicrosystems' "Community Source" License) let you view the source code but not distribute it. Other software may have the source available but not let you use it commercially. DebianLinux has a "non-Free" section for software that it may legally distribute (including many OpenSource programs) but does not meet the project's definition of
FreeSoftware.
+Compare [
Free] and
FreeSoftware.
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CategoryPolitics
