[jan@intevation.de: Re: [Freegis-list] open source SEG-Y view er wanted]

[Bernhard Reiter]

On Thu, Jan 25, 2001 at 11:08:39AM -0800, Matt.Wilkie wrote:
> > First. To my knowledge there is no all inclusive legal 
> > definition of what  constitutes "Free Software".  

> This debate has been hashed over many times without satisfactory
> resolution, and will continue to be for the forseeable future. 
> The term Free Software, as used by FreeGIS.org refers to software 
> which follows the Open Source Definition http://www.opensource.org/osd.html.

I agree.
The discussion about how to call these software is going on for a long time. 
But the results also aim at that it will not be as broad as it has been. 

> The problem is that the words used, Free and Software, are very
> generic. 

This is true, but the search for new words has not lead to better
alternatives.  As the concept of freedom and software needs to be
explained to most people anyway, there is a chance to establish
a common ground for the meaning of "Free Software".
AFAIK the Free Software Foundation was the first to actually coin
the term around 1985.

> I'm not the first to suggest this, but what we really need is
> a word which doesn't come with the popularity and host of
> assiciated meanings, connotations, and uses that "free" does.

From my experience, "Free Software" is creating less
misunderstandings and its assositations are near to the actual meaning.
We are talking about freedom of speech, freedom to teach and
free competition. All positive connotations which are friendly
towards the whole society.

It would be nice to come to an agreement on which degrees of freedom
have to be attached to a software to be called free or "Free Software".
	Bernhard

-- 
Professional Service around Free Software                (intevation.net)  
The FreeGIS Project                                         (freegis.org)
Association for a Free Informational Infrastructure            (ffii.org)
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