Philosophy of the GNU Project
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Philosophy of the GNU Project
Free software
means that the software's users have
freedom. (The issue is not about price.) We developed the GNU
operating system so that users can have freedom in their
computing.
Specifically, free software means users have
the
four essential freedoms
(0) to run the program, (1) to study and change the program in source
code form, (2) to redistribute exact copies, and (3) to distribute
modified versions.
Software differs from material objects—such as chairs,
sandwiches, and gasoline—in that it can be copied and changed
much more easily. These facilities are why software is useful; we
believe a program's users should be free to take advantage of them,
not solely its developer.
The articles in the short list below give an overview of GNU
philosophy. For further reading, please check the menu above, especially
Essays &
Articles
, and
Speeches & Interviews
See the
Audio & Video section
for recordings of Richard Stallman's speeches.
Introduction
Anchoring the FSF in its values
What is Free Software?
Why we must insist on free software
Innovation Is Secondary When Freedom Is at Stake
Proprietary Software Is Often Malware
History of GNU/Linux
Copyleft: Pragmatic Idealism
Why Free Software Needs
Free Documentation
Selling Free Software
is OK!
Motives For Writing Free Software
The Right to Read: A
Dystopian Short Story
by Richard Stallman
Why
“Open Source” Misses the Point of Free Software
When
Free Software Isn't (Practically) Superior
Measures
Governments Can Use to Promote Free Software
Free Software and Education
Giving the Software
Field Protection from Patents
We also keep a list of
Organizations
that Work for Freedom in
Computer Development and Electronic Communications
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