[ubuntu-in] (no subject)

[Aanjhan R]

Hello Swair Mehta,

On 8/26/06, swair mehta <swair_xp at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
> i have heard that linux being a  freeware os is distributed free.

Linux is just a small component(yes of course very important) of the
system called the kernel. There are several other things that make up
the system. Hence called GNU/Linux.

"Linux is the kernel: the program in the system that allocates the
machine's resources to the other programs that you run. The kernel is
an essential part of an operating system, but useless by itself; it
can only function in the context of a complete operating system. Linux
is normally used in a combination with the GNU operating system: the
whole system is basically GNU, with Linux functioning as its kernel."

http://www.gnu.org/gnu/linux-and-gnu.html

Freeware and Free Software are two completely different terminologies.
Free Software is a matter of Freedom. Freedom not only to developers
but also to end users. 'Free' here does not mean or relate to cost.
http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html

For a detailed philosophy visit http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/

Freeware is made available free of Charge. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freeware

GNU/Linux is 'Free' Software and *not* Freeware.

Regards.
-- 

Aanjhan
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