About Free Software and Open Source

hi,
Lets start with it !!!
As we are a bunch of GNU/Linux geeks, it is our minimum responsibility to know about this.

This is only newbies and it is not my theory, i am just collecting information and sharing with you.
Here i am sharing my views with you all and if i went wrong anywhere please inform me so that i could correct them.

``Free software'' is a matter of liberty, not price. To understand the concept, you should think of ``free'' as in ``free speech,'' not as in ``free beer.''

Free software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software. More precisely, it refers to four kinds of freedom, for the users of the software:

• The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).
• The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
• The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor (freedom 2).
• The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements to the public, so that the whole community benefits (freedom 3). Access to the source code is a precondition for this.

For more info http://www.gnu.org Why ``Free Software'' is better than ``Open Source''

Coming to Open Source:
Open source doesn't just mean access to the source code. Open Source Definition.
The basic idea behind open source is very simple: When programmers can read, redistribute, and modify the source code for a piece of software, the software evolves. People improve it, people adapt it, people fix bugs. And this can happen at a speed that, if one is used to the slow pace of conventional software development, seems astonishing.
Open Source Initiative (OSI) is a non-profit corporation dedicated to managing and promoting the Open Source Definition for the good of the community, specifically through the OSI Certified Open Source Software certification mark and program.

Thats all for now !!! tata !!!

vg...