Why the distinction between free software and GPL software is important

[Man-Chicken]

On Thursday 26 April 2007 07:57:42 Nils Kassube wrote:
> On Thursday 26 April 2007 14:21, Donn wrote:
> > > Would you care to elaborate what definition of "free" you have in
> > > mind
> >
> > It's free as in "Free of chains".
>
> Hmm, that definition of free would only fit for public domain software,
> but not for Adobe Reader which was attributed to be free by the original
> poster.
>
> > It can also be free of price, and usually is.
>
> And this definition may be correct for GPL software as well. Therefore I
> am still confused.
>
>
> Nils

"Free Software" (like software under the GPL, CDDL, modified BSD, LGPL, etc) 
refers to software that respects freedom and does not attempt to control the 
user and may or may not cost money.

"Freeware" (like what Acrobat is) is proprietary software that does not 
respect freedom and does attempt to control the user, but does not cost 
money.

-- 
~ Man-Chicken <><
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