Difference between revisions of "Free and open-source software"
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| − | == Free and | + | == Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS) == |
| − | ''' | + | '''Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS)''' is software that gives users specific freedoms and usually makes its underlying design accessible. |
| − | The | + | The word "free" in "free software" means freedom, not zero cost. Think of it as "free speech," not "free beer" – though much FOSS is indeed available for no money. |
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| − | + | == [[Pulsed Media]] Software Stack ([[PMSS]]) == | |
| − | + | Pulsed Media uses FOSS in their servers. It is called [[Pulsed Media]] Software Stack ([[PMSS]]). You can very easily download PMSS from their [[GitHub]] repository. Here:[- https://github.com/MagnaCapax/PMSS-] | |
| − | + | How to download and install is made easy with fully written tutorial. [[PMSS]] works best with [[Debian]] 10 and Debian 11 | |
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| − | + | === What "Free Software" Means === | |
| − | + | The definition of free software, set by the Free Software Foundation, is based on four key freedoms for users: | |
| − | + | Freedom 0: You can run the program for any purpose you wish. | |
| + | Freedom 1: You can study how the program works and change it to suit your needs. This requires access to the source code. | ||
| + | Freedom 2: You can redistribute copies to help others. | ||
| + | Freedom 3: You can distribute copies of your modified versions. This lets the whole community benefit from your changes. Access to the source code is essential for this. | ||
| + | If software grants these four freedoms, it's considered free software. Major examples include the GNU Project and the [[Linux]] kernel. | ||
| − | === | + | === What "Open Source" Means === |
| − | The | + | The Open Source Definition, managed by the Open Source Initiative (OSI), lists criteria a software license must meet for software to be "open source." While its philosophy slightly differs from free software (focusing more on practical benefits like collaboration), open-source software generally also allows users to access, modify, and redistribute its source code. |
| − | + | === Why We Say "Free and Open-Source" === | |
| − | + | The terms "free software" and "open source software" came from slightly different ideas, but in practice, they describe very similar software. Most software that fits one definition also fits the other. Because of this big overlap, the combined term '''FOSS''' is often used for any software that meets either definition. | |
| − | FOSS | + | A key element common to both is the availability of the source code. This is the human-readable version of the program. Having it is crucial for users to exercise the freedoms to study, change, and share modified versions. |
| + | |||
| + | === FOSS vs. Proprietary Software === | ||
| + | |||
| + | FOSS stands in contrast to '''proprietary software''' (also called closed-source software). With proprietary software, users typically can't access the source code, and their rights to use, study, change, and redistribute the software are heavily restricted by the vendor through strict licenses. | ||
=== Benefits of FOSS === | === Benefits of FOSS === | ||
| − | FOSS offers several | + | FOSS offers several advantages: |
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| + | Cost: Often available for free, reducing licensing expenses. | ||
| + | Flexibility and Customization: Users with coding skills can modify the software or add features. | ||
| + | Security: Anyone can review the source code, which can help find and fix security weaknesses faster. | ||
| + | Stability and Reliability: Large communities often contribute, leading to robust and well-tested software. | ||
| + | Community Support: Users can often find help and support from online communities. | ||
| + | No Vendor Lock-in: Users aren't tied to one company for updates or support. | ||
| + | Educational Value: Studying the source code is great for learning programming. | ||
=== Examples of FOSS === | === Examples of FOSS === | ||
Many widely used software applications are FOSS: | Many widely used software applications are FOSS: | ||
| − | + | Operating Systems: [[Linux]] (e.g., Ubuntu, Fedora), BSD | |
| − | + | Web Browsers: [[Mozilla Firefox]], Chromium | |
| − | + | Office Suites: LibreOffice | |
| − | + | Media Players: VLC media player | |
| − | + | Web Servers: Apache HTTP Server, Nginx | |
| − | + | Databases: MySQL, PostgreSQL | |
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=== Licensing === | === Licensing === | ||
| − | FOSS is distributed under specific | + | FOSS is distributed under specific software licenses (like the [[GNU General Public License|GNU GPL]], MIT License, Apache License). These licenses grant the user the freedoms described, ensuring the software remains FOSS even when shared or modified. |
=== See Also === | === See Also === | ||
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| − | + | *[[Free software]] | |
| − | * | + | *[[Source code]] |
| − | * | + | *[[Linux]] |
| − | * | ||
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[[Category:Software]] | [[Category:Software]] | ||
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Revision as of 21:49, 28 May 2025
Contents
Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS)
Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS) is software that gives users specific freedoms and usually makes its underlying design accessible.
The word "free" in "free software" means freedom, not zero cost. Think of it as "free speech," not "free beer" – though much FOSS is indeed available for no money.
Pulsed Media Software Stack (PMSS)
Pulsed Media uses FOSS in their servers. It is called Pulsed Media Software Stack (PMSS). You can very easily download PMSS from their GitHub repository. Here:[- https://github.com/MagnaCapax/PMSS-] How to download and install is made easy with fully written tutorial. PMSS works best with Debian 10 and Debian 11
What "Free Software" Means
The definition of free software, set by the Free Software Foundation, is based on four key freedoms for users:
Freedom 0: You can run the program for any purpose you wish. Freedom 1: You can study how the program works and change it to suit your needs. This requires access to the source code. Freedom 2: You can redistribute copies to help others. Freedom 3: You can distribute copies of your modified versions. This lets the whole community benefit from your changes. Access to the source code is essential for this. If software grants these four freedoms, it's considered free software. Major examples include the GNU Project and the Linux kernel.
What "Open Source" Means
The Open Source Definition, managed by the Open Source Initiative (OSI), lists criteria a software license must meet for software to be "open source." While its philosophy slightly differs from free software (focusing more on practical benefits like collaboration), open-source software generally also allows users to access, modify, and redistribute its source code.
Why We Say "Free and Open-Source"
The terms "free software" and "open source software" came from slightly different ideas, but in practice, they describe very similar software. Most software that fits one definition also fits the other. Because of this big overlap, the combined term FOSS is often used for any software that meets either definition.
A key element common to both is the availability of the source code. This is the human-readable version of the program. Having it is crucial for users to exercise the freedoms to study, change, and share modified versions.
FOSS vs. Proprietary Software
FOSS stands in contrast to proprietary software (also called closed-source software). With proprietary software, users typically can't access the source code, and their rights to use, study, change, and redistribute the software are heavily restricted by the vendor through strict licenses.
Benefits of FOSS
FOSS offers several advantages:
Cost: Often available for free, reducing licensing expenses. Flexibility and Customization: Users with coding skills can modify the software or add features. Security: Anyone can review the source code, which can help find and fix security weaknesses faster. Stability and Reliability: Large communities often contribute, leading to robust and well-tested software. Community Support: Users can often find help and support from online communities. No Vendor Lock-in: Users aren't tied to one company for updates or support. Educational Value: Studying the source code is great for learning programming.
Examples of FOSS
Many widely used software applications are FOSS:
Operating Systems: Linux (e.g., Ubuntu, Fedora), BSD Web Browsers: Mozilla Firefox, Chromium Office Suites: LibreOffice Media Players: VLC media player Web Servers: Apache HTTP Server, Nginx Databases: MySQL, PostgreSQL
Licensing
FOSS is distributed under specific software licenses (like the GNU GPL, MIT License, Apache License). These licenses grant the user the freedoms described, ensuring the software remains FOSS even when shared or modified.
