His main points boil down to :
This is a fact in that one is not required to fork over hard earned money for any FOSS. But there is some cost associated with FOSS and that is the cost of learning to use it. While this is not a monetary cost, it is a cost if one considers one’s time to be of value. We will call this a time cost.
So, other than FOSS being gratis where is the freedom for that person? The freedom for the end-user is freedom from restrictions.
Here is what I mean by freedom from restrictions for the end-user. One may share one’s copy of FOSS with one’s neighbors, friends, family, enemies and pets without ever breaking a law.
While these points do represent a portion of the 'free' in FOSS, this don't go quite far enough to spell it out for more than just individual users.
The freedom from restriction also applies to how many instances of software can be installed from one original copy. For example, in Windows EULA and many others, if you purchase one cd with software on it, their license allows you to install that to only one machine. that is all that is 'legal'
This is HUGE when it comes to schools, non-profits and small businesses who can't afford to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars to have more than one copy of software running.
Whereas with FOSS, you can take that one CD and install it to one or ten or one hundred separate machines. Or, install it to a server that runs distributed desktops ( LTSP, thin clients) and have more than one user have access to the software simultaneously.
Also, there is the freedom which also mentioned earlier that is specific to being free to modify the software to meet one's unique needs, without incurring extra cost or violating EULA terms.
While many small businesses, schools and non-profits cannot afford the fee of thousands of dollars that Microsoft or Apple charges to have modifications made to the system, They might be able to find a volunteer who is willing to modify Linux or some other OpenSource software on their behalf. And because the source code is open and the freedom exists to modify as they see fit without cost or legal restriction, they have an opportunity to customize FOSS software they will not find anywhere else.
The Linux community is in the midst of the big home user desktop push and a lot of developers and proponents are working to see that happen, yet Linux and Open Source software is able to make huge gains and make a huge difference in non home use settings.
BEL Project is one of those volunteer groups that is willing to work with schools and non profits as well as small business to get access to customized installations of Linux and other Open Source software to meet their unique working environments. There are others out there, in local communities, doing the same thing.
The 'Free' in FOSS not only provides the freedom discussed above, but also it provides individuals the freedom to learn and expand their experience, education and opportunity to help others to be successful using Free and Open Source Software.
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