Difference between revisions of "Free Software"
m |
(added link to Commercial Services) |
||
| Line 13: | Line 13: | ||
== Commercial Use of Free Software == | == Commercial Use of Free Software == | ||
| − | Free Software is '''not''' anti-commercial! There are many companies and individuals who make a living by producing, maintaining and enhancing Free Software or by offering all kinds of | + | Free Software is '''not''' anti-commercial! There are many companies and individuals who make a living by producing, maintaining and enhancing Free Software or by offering all kinds of [[Commercial Services]] around it. In the geospatial realm it has grown into a healthy [[Business]] ecology. |
Revision as of 15:27, 6 May 2007
The OSGeo is not a primary source of information regarding Free Software or Open Source. Please refer to the corresponding web sites for a thorough treatment. This page intends to give a quick insight to the topic and explain some basics. Feel free to edit this page if you feel that it is not enough or needs pruning.
Introduction
Free Software is a legal means to protect source code from being commercially exploited by proprietary business models.
Free Software is closely related (and sometimes even percepted as identical) to Open Source.
http://www.opensource.org/trademarks/opensource/web/opensource-110x95.png
The Free Software definition allows for several freedoms that enable individuals to collaborate easily on a project. As the source code is protected from becoming proprietary it is not necessary to de-sign and then-sign complicated contracts that define who may use the software for which purpose.
Commercial Use of Free Software
Free Software is not anti-commercial! There are many companies and individuals who make a living by producing, maintaining and enhancing Free Software or by offering all kinds of Commercial Services around it. In the geospatial realm it has grown into a healthy Business ecology.