Why we talk about Free Software

Erik Albers

Free Software Foundation Europe

Mail: eal@fsfe.orgTwitter: @3albersBlog: https://blogs.fsfe.org/eal

Why we talk about Free Software

● In the beginning all software was free● Scientific area● Hardware was the product

● Software becoming market product in the 70's by using closed source

Why we talk about Free Software

1980: Richard Stallman (MIT), the AI Lab and the printer

Why we talk about Free Software

1983: Starting the GNU Project

Newsgroup net.unix-wizards September 27, 1983

Free Unix!Starting this Thanksgiving I am going to write a complete Unix-compatible software system called GNU (for Gnu's Not Unix), and give it away free(1) to everyone who can use it. Contributions of time, money, programs and equipment are greatly needed. [...]

Why we talk about Free SoftwareWhy I Must Write GNU

I consider that the golden rule requires that if I like a program I must share it with other people who like it. I cannot in good conscience sign a nondisclosure agreement or a software license agreement.

So that I can continue to use computers without violating my principles, I have decided to put together a sufficient body of free software so that I will be able to get along without any software that is not free. [...]

Why we talk about Free Software

● 1985: Free Software Foundation

Concentrate on the GNU Project

● 1986: Free Software Definition● “Free” as in Freedom● 4 Freedoms: Use, Study, Share, Improve

Why we talk about Free Software

1989: GNU General Public License (GPL)● First general freedom granting license● First license with Copyleft

“... our General Public License is intended to guarantee your freedom to share and change free software--to make sure the software is free for all its users.”

(Preamble)

Why we talk about Free Software

● Today's focuses are– Free Software community– Legal aspects of Free Software

– Political work for Free Software

– Spreading the use of Free Software– Users freedom - DRM

● 2001: Free Software Foundation Europe

Why we talk about Free Software

● Projects, ideas and movements that have been inspired by or are built on Free Software– Creative Commons

– Internet and the world wide web

– Open Standards

– Wikipedia

– ...

Why others talk about Open Source

1997: Debian Social Contract

Debian Free Software Guidelines (DFSG)

Bruce Perens

10 Guidelines

Why others talk about Open Source

1998: Open Source Initiative started to promote Free Software in the label of “Open Source”, using Debian Free Software Guidelines as the Open Source Definition

Marketing strategy:● “Open Source” instead of “Free Software”● Certification Mark● OSI certification

Why others talk about Open Source

How is "open source" related to "free software"?

The Open Source Initiative is a marketing program for free software. It's a pitch for "free software" on solid pragmatic grounds rather than ideological tub-thumping. The winning substance has not changed, the losing attitude and symbolism have.

http://www.opensource.org/advocacy/faq.html, 1999

Open Source vs Free Software

● Technically, Open Source and Free Software are the same

● Historically different emphasis● Free Software Foundation and Richard Stallman

refuse to talk about “Open Source”, because it is missing the point of Freedom.

● “Open Source” more popular in business - “Free Software” more popular in the community

Why we talk about Free Software

About a year ago, I sent out a message announcing "Open Source". […] Most hackers know that Free Software and Open Source are just two words for the same thing. Unfortunately, though, Open Source has de-emphasized the importance of the freedoms involved in Free Software. It's time for us to fix that. […] It's Time to Talk about Free Software Again.

Bruce Perens, 17-2-1999