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diff --git a/content/blog/free-and-open-source-software.md b/content/blog/free-and-open-source-software.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f9285d4 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/blog/free-and-open-source-software.md @@ -0,0 +1,41 @@ +--- +title: Free and Open Source Software +date: 2023-01-09 +--- + +Consider the purpose of the software you use and the values guiding the project. +What is the founder’s mission? Who do they put first, the user or the company? +Sadly, it is usually the company. Profit drives companies and can come at the +cost of users. The company sells user data and deplatforms users. Advertisements +become abundant, and paywalls hide features. But free and open source software +(FOSS) offers user freedom, community-driven development, and learning +opportunities. + +FOSS is available for anyone to use, modify, and distribute. Users are not +restricted by licensing fees or other limitations that can come with proprietary +software. This freedom allows users to customize and tailor the software to +their specific needs and ensures they have control over their technology rather +than the company that created it. If you notice a bug or want a new feature, +write and send your own patch. Even if you do not know the language or library, +read the documentation, speak with the community, and learn. + +Open source projects have high accountability and trust because the code and who +wrote it are public information. Not only does this encourage the developers to +write better code, but it also encourages collaboration from users. Community +ownership is a fundamental distinction between proprietary and open source +software. In open source projects, the community owns the software rather than +the company. This community-driven approach also means that FOSS is often more +reliable and secure than proprietary software, as it benefits from the +collective knowledge and expertise of its users. + +Users and developers are more likely to learn when they use FOSS. They can look +at the source code and understand how the program works rather than just what it +does. Developers can make their software compatible with other software and +hardware. Because FOSS is free to use and modify, it has economic benefits for +students who do not have income. It also benefits entrepreneurs and small +businesses with limited budgets. + +How can you help? +- Encourage people to use free software +- Encourage schools and businesses to use free software +- Write and share free software and its ideas |