Free and open source software

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In computing, free and open source software, also F/OSS, FOSS, or FLOSS (for Free/Libre/Open Source Software) is software which is liberally licensed to grant the right of users to study, change, and improve its design through the availability of its source code. This approach has gained both momentum and acceptance as the potential benefits have been increasingly recognized by both individuals and corporate players.^[1]^[2]

'F/OSS' is an inclusive term generally synonymous with both free software and open source software which describe similar development models, but with differing cultures and philosophies. 'Free software' focuses on the philosophical freedoms it gives to users and 'open source' focuses on the perceived strengths of its peer-to-peer development model. However many people relate to both aspects and so 'F/OSS' is a term that can be used without particular bias towards either camp.

Free software licenses and Open-source licenses are used by many software packages. The licenses have important differences, which mirror the differences in the ways the two kinds of software can be used and distributed and reflect differences in the philosophy behind the two.^[3]

1 See also
2 References
3 Further reading
4 External links

[edit] See also

[edit] References

^ Hatlestad, Luc (2005-08-09). LinuxWorld Showcases Open-Source Growth, Expansion. InformationWeek. CMP Media, LLC. Archived from the original on 2007-11-25. Retrieved on 2007-11-25.
^ Claburn, Thomas (17). Study Finds Open Source Benefits Business. InformationWeek. CMP Media LLC. Archived from the original on 2007-11-25. Retrieved on 25, 2007. Retrieved on 11 2007.
^ Barr, Joe (1998). Why “Free Software” is better than “Open Source” (English). Free Software Foundation. Archived from the original on 2007-11-25. Retrieved on 2007-11-25..

[edit] Further reading

David Wheeler (2007-04-16), Why Open Source Software / Free Software (OSS/FS, FLOSS, or FOSS)? Look at the Numbers!.
Peter H. Salus (2005-03-28, A History of Free and Open Source, Groklaw.

[edit] External links

Wikibooks has a book on the topic of

FLOSS Concept Booklet

FOSSology
FOSSBazaar — community for free and open source software governance
Free / Open Source Research Community (mit.edu)
Thwack — community providing free networking tools and tips for network engineers
OSGeo — non-profit non-governmental organization whose mission is to support and promote the collaborative development of open geospatial technologies and data