Free Software

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Revision as of 16:37, 13 April 2007 by Arnulf (talk | contribs)
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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.fsf.org/logo.jpg

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 services around it. In the geospatial realm it has grown into a healthy Business ecology.