This document summarizes the key principles of free and open-source software (FOSS). It outlines the four freedoms that define free software: to run a program for any purpose, study and modify its code, redistribute copies, and distribute modified versions. It describes the GNU General Public License (GPL) and how it guarantees these freedoms while allowing fees for distribution or custom work. The document highlights some major free software projects and their impact, and defines characteristics that open source software must have regarding redistribution, access to source code, and nondiscrimination.
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The Importance of Free Software
1. Dwarfs standing on the
nani gigantum
shoulders of giants
humeris insidentes
The Importance of Free Software
2. Free Software: Liberty, not Price.
Richard Stallman
Four Freedoms:
to run the program, for any purpose;
to study how the progam works, and change it;
to redistribute copies to help your neighbour; and
to to distribute copies of your modified versions to others.
3. (GNU) General Public License
The GPL does not:
require you to release your code
(for your own use only, or that of your client)
prevent you from charging a fee
(distribution fee is okay, fee to write it is okay, however...)
The GPL does:
prevent you from having proprietary rights in the software
(everyone gets to enjoy it)
require you to provide the source code (or access to it)
(open source, so shows exactly how it works)
include the notice that the code is subject to the GPL
(notice must accompany the software)
requires users accept the GPL'd code without warranties
(c'mon, it was free...)
4. Great Moments in Free Software
From: torvalds@klaava.Helsinki.FI (Linus Benedict Torvalds)
Newsgroups: comp.os.minix
Subject: What would you like to see most in minix?
Summary: small poll for my new operating system
Message-ID: <1991Aug25.205708.9541@klaava.Helsinki.FI>
Date: 25 Aug 91 20:57:08 GMT
Organization: University of Helsinki
Hello everybody out there using minix -
I’m doing a (free) operating system (just a hobby, won’t be big and professional like gnu)
for 386(486) AT clones. This has been brewing since april, and is starting to get ready.
I’d like any feedback on things people like/dislike in minix, as my OS resembles it
somewhat
(same physical layout of the file-system (due to practical reasons) among other things).
I’ve currently ported bash(1.08) and gcc(1.40), and things seem to work. This implies
that I’ll get something practical within a few months, and I’d like to know what features
most people would want. Any suggestions are welcome, but I won’t promise I’ll
implement them:-)
Linus (torvalds@kruuna.helsinki.fi)
PS. Yes – it’s free of any minix code, and it has a multi-threaded fs. It is NOT protable
(uses 386 task switching etc), and it probably never will support anything other than AT-
6. Great Moments in Free Software
BIND (Berkeley Internet Name Domain)
(“L.A.M.P. Stack”)
Linux (over 90% of world's supercomputers run Linux)
Apache (58% of all websites, 65% of busiest sites)
MySQL (over 65k downloads/day; busy sites, Wikipedia)
PHP (or Perl, or Python – open source programming languages)
WordPress
Netscape / Mozilla / Firefox
Open Office / Libre Office
7. Open Source
Eric Raymond, The Cathedral and the Bazaar
Open source isn't just access to source code:
distribution terms of OSS must include:
Free Redistribution
Source Code
Derived Works
Integrity of The Author's Source Code
No Discrimination Against Persons or Groups
No Discrimination Against Fields of Endeavor
Distribution of License
License Must Not Be Specific to a Product
License Must Not Restrict Other Software
License Must Be Technology-Neutral
8. FOSS: Free and open-source software
is software that is both free and open source. It is liberally licensed
to grant users the right to use, copy, study, change, and improve its
design through the availability of its source code.
– source: Wikipedia
Prevents vendor-lock
Ensures flexibility
Reduces risk
Takes advantage of previous work
9. No proprietary software was used
in the making of this presentation.
*Certified 100% Free Software.
Notes de l'éditeur
“If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” - Isaac Newton 12 th century saying Linus Torvalds Bob Young (Red Hat) says it's the opposite of reinventing the wheel