"Free as in Speech" is propaganda. GPL software is more restricted than speech in most places. The "freedoms" given/taken with GPL do not correspond with speech freedoms/restrictions.
"Free as in Beer" may actually fit better, but the meaning of the metaphor is may change depending if you think beer is wonderful or not.
If the reason for these phrases is because of the non exact nature of the word "free", why not just use better words than "free"? Yes these words exist. Even simple phrases need less explaining than speech and beer.
"Open" means everything and nothing.
"Unrestricted" implies complete freedom without implying anything about cost.
"Liberated" is could be political, but is still better than "as speech"
"Costless" requires no explanation, unlike the beer phrase.
And neither "free" nor any of the above imply the ability to see the source of a work.
The easiest solution is simply to use "source" as what is unrestricted instead of software.
The english equivilant to the various source phrases would be:
"Free as in speech" : Unrestricted source code. "Free as in beer" : Costless software
Slashdot Mirror
I've probably said this before...
"Free as in Speech" is propaganda. GPL software is more restricted than speech in most places.
The "freedoms" given/taken with GPL do not correspond with speech freedoms/restrictions.
"Free as in Beer" may actually fit better, but the meaning of the metaphor is may change depending if you think beer is wonderful or not.
If the reason for these phrases is because of the non exact nature of the word "free", why not just use better words than "free"? Yes these words exist. Even simple phrases need less explaining than speech and beer.
"Open" means everything and nothing.
"Unrestricted" implies complete freedom without implying anything about cost.
"Liberated" is could be political, but is still better than "as speech"
"Costless" requires no explanation, unlike the beer phrase.
And neither "free" nor any of the above imply the ability to see the source of a work.
The easiest solution is simply to use "source" as what is unrestricted instead of software.
The english equivilant to the various source
phrases would be:
"Free as in speech" : Unrestricted source code.
"Free as in beer" : Costless software
Are there people that see such an image/slide
presentation (powerpoint?) as anything
but a primative form of communication?
Isn't HTML a better format for documents than GIF?
Anyone read this on the FAQ.
Q: What is DeCSS, and how does it work?
A: DeCSS is akin to a tool that breaks the lock on your house.
Exactly. Some are trying to get into their own house, but MPAA sold them locks with no keys.
Mark this as off topic please.