From ede0b241ec43034b9d11988fa76f54cf45c23eb4 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Michael Hunteman Date: Wed, 3 May 2023 10:40:13 -0500 Subject: Revise community ownership and interoperability --- content/blog/free-and-open-source-software.md | 52 +++++++++++++++------------ 1 file changed, 30 insertions(+), 22 deletions(-) diff --git a/content/blog/free-and-open-source-software.md b/content/blog/free-and-open-source-software.md index a6fbf03..856f06c 100644 --- a/content/blog/free-and-open-source-software.md +++ b/content/blog/free-and-open-source-software.md @@ -11,34 +11,42 @@ lock-in. Advertisements become abundant, and paywalls hide features. But free and open source software (FOSS) offers user freedom, community ownership, and interoperability. -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, -you can read the documentation, speak with the community, and learn. Users are -not at the whims of the creators and where they want to take the project which -may not align with users' interests. +Free software 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 a patch. Even if you do not know the language or +library, you can read the documentation, speak with the community, and learn. +Users are not at the whims of the creators and where they want to take the +project which may not align with users' interests. Free software gives power +back to users. Open source projects have high accountability and trust because the code and who -wrote it are public information. Community ownership is a fundamental -distinction between proprietary and open source software. Community-driven -development means the software is inherently more ethical since it is not -written behind closed doors. FOSS is often more reliable and secure than -proprietary software, as it benefits from the collective knowledge and expertise -of its users. - -Open source unlocks interoperability so programmers can make their software +wrote it are public information. You can reach out to these people, learn from +them, and discover how you can improve the software or write an alternative. +Community ownership is a fundamental distinction between proprietary and open +source software. The project is the collective work of the community. +Community-driven development means the software is inherently more ethical since +it is not written behind closed doors. Open source software is often more +reliable and secure than proprietary software, as it benefits from the +collective knowledge and expertise of its users. + +Open source unlocks interoperability so developers can make their software compatible with other software and hardware. They can look at the source code and understand how the program works rather than just what it does. Interoperability also lowers switching costs for users who want to move to a different program. Companies want to keep switching costs high and prevent users -from leaving their product or service. They expand into other domains to -increase the cost of transitioning. +from leaving their products and services. They build up walled gardens by +expanding into other domains to make it harder to explore alternatives. 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 +- Encourage people to use FOSS +- Encourage institutions to use FOSS +- Write and share FOSS and its ideas + +## Resources + +- [What is Free Software?](https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html) +- [Open Source Definition](https://opensource.org/osd/) -- cgit v1.2.3