Re: [Fsuk-manchester] open and free software

[Michael Dorrington]

aidy lewis wrote:
> Hi,
>
> What essentially is the difference between open and free software?

Have a read of 
<http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html>. But 
essentially: "Open source is a development methodology; free software is 
a social movement."

> Can we make a comparison of open and closed sourced software where
> with one we cannot read the source-code?

What sort of comparison? Since this is a free software mailing list then 
I'll answer it in terms of freedom. In order for a program to be free 
software it must give the users the following freedoms (from 
<http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html>):

* 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.

A program where we cannot read the source code fails to give freedom 1 
and freedom 3 so is not free software. A program where you can read the 
source code may or may not satisfy the 4 freedoms and so may or may not 
be free software.

Hope this helps.

Mike.

> Aidy