The “Free” In Free Software

The term “free software” is generally used to indicate software that is freely accessible and available to users. The term is simultaneously literal and symbolic in its meaning. While free software is typically free, that is, there is no price that one must pay to use it, the “free” in free software also signifies a user’s freedom (software libre) or liberty to use it, distribute it, alter it, and so on. All of this is without needing a purchased license or “permission” to use the software. The user is free to use it.

Open Source Software - F/OSS

Free and open source sofware go hand in hand within the overall F/OSS (Free and Open Source Software) movement. Open source software differs in the sense that if refers to software in which the source code is openly and freely shared amongst users. With the source code widely available, users are able to voluntarily study and modify the code, ultimately making open source software, or F/OSS, a collaborative effort between communities of people both online and off.

Community

F/OSS has fostered the formation of a community of regular folks, as well as talented and experienced programmerss, where code, methods, and advice is shared and modified freely. F/OSS sofware, such as R for example, are typically more up-to-date with the very latest compared to proprietary statistical programming software, for example. Software like this relies heavily on owners updating software/packages, which can eat up time. This is just one of the many advantages F/OSS has over other “closed” software.

Ultimately, this community has coagulated into a movement dedicated to readily available and accessible software for anyone with the drive and capacity to learn and invest themselves. While F/OSS may have its drawbacks, in the end, I believe free and open source software to be a overall benefit to users because it is unfettered by rules and regulations that otherwise might restrict users.