[CS-FSLUG] Distinguishing Between "Free" and "Open Source"

[Frank Bax]

At 07:09 AM 11/8/04, Jukka Y wrote:

>On Monday, 8. Novemberta 2004 09:32, Don Parris wrote:
> > Just out of curiosity, how would you guys (and gals) distinguish
> > between the terms "free" and "open source".  The two terms are
> > similar, but there's enough of a difference to require us to say
> > "FOSS" instead of "OSS".  Indeed, Stallman has some concerns about the
> > OSS movement.
> >
> > But I'm wondering how y'all would explain the difference to someone
> > who asked you, especially someone who may not have a solid grasp of
> > either term.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Don
>
>Maybe this way:
>
>"Free"-software's source code is available and it is distributed under 
>licence
>that allows source code's examination, modification and re-distribution.
>"Open source"-software is software which source code can be examined, but
>modification and re-distribution is more limited or not allowed at all.


As an example of the second one, I was reading the majordomo license last 
week.  It allows for modifications of the source code for your 
installation, but you cannot distribute a modified majordomo.

Frank