Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) - 1

On the behalf of Linux-Manipur for e-pao.net

Free and Open Source Software is a term given to a collection of software* which falls under two different category 'Free software' and 'Open source software'.

Although both types of software are promoted by two different group viz. Free Software Foundation and Open Source Software, they mean almost the same thing with a little variation in definition. Together they form a completely new dimension in the way software is used.

Contrary to the general belief, free software does not mean software that comes free of cost. Free here means freedom and the liberty that a user gets in using software.

Richard Stallman, the founder of Free Software Foundation precisely clarified this myth by describing free software as "Free as in free speech, not as in free beer". Free software guarantees four basic freedoms to the users of the software:

* Freedom 0: The freedom to run the program, for any purpose
* Freedom 1: The freedom to study how the program works, and change it to your needs by accessing the source code.
* Freedom 2: The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help others. But redistribution is allowed with condition that same freedom should be given to other users.
* Freedom 3: The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements to the public, so that the whole community is benefited from it. Source code access should be allowed to ensure this freedom.

A program is free software if user has all these freedom. Thus, you should be free to redistribute copies, either with or without modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to anyone anywhere. Being free to do these things means (among other things) that you do not have to ask or pay for permission.

Open Source Software as the name signifies implies software whose source are freely and easily available. It may not come up source code but the source code must be available on demand or there should be proper documentation describing how to get the source.

It also lays down guidelines for distribution of the software which, by principle, is almost the same as those as those in Free software but allows restriction, up to some extend, to the user. Open source has 10 criteria of distribution:-

* Free Redistribution: the software can be freely given away or sold.
* Source Code: The source code must either be included or freely obtainable
* Derived Works: Redistribution of modifications must be allowed.
* Integrity of the author's source code: The author may reserve the right to prevent redistribution in same name.
* No Discrimination against Persons or Groups
* No Discrimination against Fields of Endeavor: Software can be used for any purpose and in any way the users want.
* Distribution of license: The rights attached to the program must apply to all to whom the program is redistributed without the need for execution of an additional license by those parties.
* License must not be specific to a product: Software can be used as a part of other software.
* License must not restrict other software: the license cannot insist that any other software it is distributed with must also be open source.
* License must be Technology-Neutral

Free and Open Source Software guarantee users' freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software unlike the propriety software which not only restrict the users in using the way he want but also prevent them from sharing the software.


* Software : It is a computer program intended to help computer user for one or more purpose.
** Souce code : A term used for the program in the form which can be studied how it works and change the way it work.