4 minute read
The Last Byte Free is a funny word
In the computer world the word "free" often refers to a free trial, a free basic version of a program or a free adsupported software package. However, as you know (or at least as you hopefully now know, after reaching this, the last page of the March issue of HUB: The Computer Paper dedicated to free and open source software), there's a whole world of free software out there — both on Windows, on Linux and on the Mac — that is really, honestly and truly free. That is, free in the traditional sense; free as in you don't have to pay anything for it. Free as in "the best things in life are..." But, in traditional free software % open source terms, "free" can be interpreted either as free as in beer or free as in speech,
Free as in beer Software that is referred to as "free as in beer" is free in the traditional sense; you don't have to pay for it. In the real world free beer often comes at a cost, whether that cost is a hangover the next day or whether it's your turn to buy next time. With free as in beer software, you're often invited to upgrade to a "professional" version with a few more features or asked to consider donating money via PayPal if you find the software useful. Free as in beer software is free for the taking. However, it's not free for the hosting; that is to say,
Free is a funny word
you can't grab freebie software and host it on your website without first getting permission. You can provide a link to the developer's download page. Free as in beer software is closed-source. That means that you're not allowed to get into the code to either tweak or create your own software program using the freebie's code as -a foundation. This type of free software is often free in a somewhat crippled version. A prime example of this is AVG Free. This anti-virus software is among the recommended antivirus programs for Windows and the "personal" edition is free... free as in you don't have to pay for it. Not free as in you can do what you like with it. Also, if you're running a business, whether small or large, the license terms forbid you from using the free version of the software.
Free as in speech Software that is called "free as in speech" is open source and much more permissive but in some cases, -less user-friendly. The GNU page (www.gnu.org) describes it as a matter of liberty, not price. It also clearly states the rules for free as in speech software. 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 (sic) (freedom 2). The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements (and modified versions in general) to the public, so that the whole community benefits (freedom 3). In short, software that falls under the category of "free as in speech" allows anyone, including businesses, to do with the software as they please. Free as in speech software appeals to the better points of human nature and is designed to foster sharing. Anyone, anywhere is entitled to modify the software as they see fit, to publish different versions based on the original source code, to distribute free or to charge a fee. Developers that release their software under the "free as in speech" model essentially relinquish control over the original idea and the work they put into it.
Creative Commons Increasingly though, we're seeing people use the Creative Commons licensing scheme to release their intellectual property. Creative Commons licensing is free to use (side-stepping the hundreds of dollars per hour that lawyers charge to create an end user license agreement (EULA)) and offering a menu of choices for content creators to license their work for distribution. Creative Commons licensing can relate to software but also text-based work like a story, article or white paper, video, music and so on. Under the Creative Commons licensing ideals, creators or publishers have four options and each of these licensing models has its respective place. I for one am a proponent of Creative Commons licensing. Its four distinct levels look after the original content creator's interests while still fostering sharing at the same time. A free sharing of ideas benefits everyone involved and Creative Commons fosters that concept while still providing.a level of protection to the original content creator.
Until next time, Andrew Moore-Crispin
ricer* under Creative Commons, Attribution
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