Here are some terms that are often mentioned frequently when discussing free software, which is explained which types are part of other intersectments or other kinds of others.
"Free Software" "Open Source" "Public Source" "" Copylefted Software "" "Non-Copylefted Free Software" " GPL Software ("The GNU System" "GNU Software" "" Semi-free Software "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "Share Software" Shareware) "FreeWare" "Commercial Software" This image is taken from the Free Software Foundation
Free Software
Free software refers to software that allows anyone to use, copy, modify, distribute (free / a little charge). In particular, the source code of this software must be available. In a sense, "there is no source code, it is not (free) software."
If a program is free, it can be included in a free operating system like GNU / Linux.
There are many ways to make a program becomes free. Specifically, there are many decisive factors, and some are listed below:
Free software is essentially free, not worth sale. But sometimes the software company uses "Free Software" when referring to the price, what they mean may be you can get a copy of the binary code for free, or it already contains a copy in the machine you purchased. However, this statement is different from our meaning of "Free Software" in the GNU plan.
Since it is very confused in the operation, once the software company says their software is free software, you must check if you have access to free software. Sometimes, you get free software, sometimes not.
In many languages, the word "free" has two meaning: one is freedom, two is free. For example, "Libre" and "Gratuit", English "GRATIS" understand the price (free), but not explain the meaning of "freedom". This is unfortunate, because if there is this word, it will be very useful here.
Usually free software is more reliable than non-free software.
2. Open Source Software (Open Source Software)
"Open Source" software or more of some free software tastes, but we are more likely to say free software (this connection explains the center of the Central).
3. Public domain software (Public Domain Software)
Public domain software is software without copyright. It is a special case of non-copylefted free software, meaning that some copy or modification is no longer free.
Sometimes people are just a way to use "public domain" to represent "free" or "free". " However, "public domain" itself has a very accurate meaning - "No copyright". For the sake of clarity, we recommend "public domain" only use this meaning only; as for other meanings, we use other words to express. 4. Copylefted software (Copylefted Software)
CopyLeft software is a free software that does not allow distributors to increase any additional restrictions when distributing or modifying software. This means that each copy of the software is free software regardless of whether it has been modified.
In the GNU program, we implement Copyleft on all the software written, because our goal is to make each user reflect the freedom of "free software". CopyLEFT connection explains how Copyleft works and why we use it.
Copyleft is a general concept that is actually a program that you need a specific distribution terms. There are many ways to book free distribution terms.
5. Free Software (Non-Copylefted Free Software)
Non-CopyleFT free software refers to software that allows you to distribute, modify, and add some additional restrictions.
If the program is free, but not Copyleft, then its copy or modification version may no longer be free. Software companies may modify the procedure or not, but they can be compiled and then distributed as private software products.
The x window system clarifies this. The X Alliance indicates that the software is a non-copylex free software in the distribution clause of X11. As long as you want, you can get a copy of the distribution terms for free. However, it also has a paid version, mainly used in popular workstations and PCs. If you are using this hardware, then for you, X11 is not free software.
6.GPL software (GPL-Covered Software)
GNU GPL (General Public License) is a specific distribution terms for free distribution programs. GNU project uses her as a distribution terms that distribute most of the GNU software.
7.GNU System (The GNU System)
The GNU system is a completely free, class UNIX operating system.
A class UNIX operating system has many programs. We have accumulated components from 1984; the first test version of "Complete GNU System" is released in 1996. We hope that this system can be fully mature in a year or so to recommend it to ordinary users.
The GNU system includes all GNU software, including non-GNU software such as X Window and TEX.
Since the purpose of the GNU is free, each component is free software in the GNU system. However, they are not free to distribute, and any free software can be absorbed, as long as they help the system to achieve technical goals. We can also use some non-CopyEFT software, such as the X Windows system.
8.GNu Software (GNU Software)
The GNU software is software issued by the GNU plan. Most GNU software are free distribution, but not all this; however, all GNU software must be free software.
Some GNU software is written by the Free Software Foundation member, but most GNU software is a volunteer donated. Some donation software is distributed free of charge free software funds, but some software is copyrighted by the author. 9. Quasi-Free Software (SEMI-free Software)
Quasi-free software is not free, but allow individuals to use, copy, distribute, and modifications (including distribution modified versions) for non-profitable purposes. PGP is an example of a quasi-free program.
Quasi-free software is much better than private software; but there is a problem, we cannot use it in the free operating system.
The purpose of the restrictions in Copyleft is to protect all users' freedom. For us, the purpose of the limitations of the usage program is to prevent other restrictions from additional restrictions. There are some restrictions in quasi-free programs, which is determined to be selfish.
It is impossible to include quasi-free software in the free operating system, because the distribution clause of the operating system is the sum of all programs distribution clauses. Add a quasi-free program to the operating system to make the entire system becomes free. We don't want to make the following two reasons:
We firmly believe that free software is for everyone - not only for schools and amateur enthusiasts, but also business. We want to invite business to use the GNU system, so we can't include quasi-free software inside.
Commercial distribution free operating system, including Linux-based GNU systems, is very important; and users are also happy to buy commercial CD-ROM distribution software. In the operating system, it contains the right to deprive commercial distribution in the operating system.
The Free Software Fund itself is non-commercial, so we are allowed to "internally" legal use quasi-free software. But we didn't do that, because we can get a program and contain it in the GNU, and that will destroy our efforts.
If there is a job that needs a software to do, and we don't have a free program to complete it, so we have a gap, we have to say that there is no program in the GNU plan, so I hope you I can write one. "If we use a free program to do this, we have a self-sufficient statement, and it is also possible to lose the power of writing a free alternative software. Therefore, we can't do this.
10. Proprietary Software
Private software is not free and non-free software, for its use, spread, or modification is forbidden, or you need to apply for licenses, or if it restricts you to use it freely.
Free Software Fund complies with the regulations, not installing any private software in your computer, unless you are temporarily installed on your computer in order to write alternatives to the program. In addition, we can't find other excuses to install private programs.
For example, in the 1980s, we believe that UNIX is justified just because we have to write a free alternative to a UNIX. Now, because there is a free operating system, this excuse is no longer used; we eliminate all non-free operating systems, which are installed on any new computer is free operating system.
Our contributors we can't force the GNU or GNU must act in this rule; it just gives us the rules that we have, but we hope that you can follow it.
11. Free software (freeWare)
"Freeware" does not have a clear definition, but it usually refers to software packages that allow for distribution that is not allowed to modify (not supplied). These bags are not free software, so don't use "freeware" to refer to free software (free software).
12. Shareware (ShaReware)
Sharing software allows users to distribute the software, but anyone wants to continue to use it to pay a license fee.
Sharing software is not free software, nor is it quasi-free software. There are two reasons: For most shared software, no source code is provided, so you can't modify the program. Sharing software does not allow copying and distribution without paying the license fee, even for personal non-profit purposes. (In fact, users often overlook the distribution terms; of course, the distribution terms are not allowed to do this).
13. Commercial Software
Commercial software is developed by commercial companies, profits by collecting use. "Business" and "private" are not one thing! Most commercial software is "private", but there are also commercial free software, as well as non-commercial, non-free software.
For example, GNU ADA will always distribute under the GNU GPL terms, and each copy is free, but its developers have paid support contracts. When the salesman said to the user, sometimes the user returns, "We feel that the commercial compiler is safe." The salesman answered, "GNU ADA is commercial software, but it happens to it is also a free software."
For the GNU plan, its focus is another order: It is important that the GNU ADA is a free software; it is not crucial to it is a commercial software. However, the additional development of commercial companies on this basis has a significant profit.
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