Free Software or Open Source Software? Is there a difference?
https://youtu.be/Qyb5KZC7d6s?is=7AvGVySJj3OA_xBL
You differentiate between freedom and non-cost.
The German language has two seperate words for "free":
- free = frei / Freiheit, meaning freedom.
- free = gratis, meaning non-cost.
I have a third parameter: the licence!
- cost OR non-cost software;
- Open Source OR closed source: Is readable source code available?
- Licence (for example GNU/GPL): Which cost for which use? Is Open Source available? Is it allowed to modify the source code? Must the modified source code be published in public (cost or non-cost)? Is it allowed to sell the modified source code, or close modified source code? Is my source code free to use for militery mission (war)?
The term Free Software was a great idea years ago. Now we should discuss about an update:
Clear definition, clear meaning, no confusion!
I'm glad, that the concepts of Free Software, Open Software and FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) are worldwide-known and used in 2026!
Thanks for the video, and greetings from Austria (Europe)!
Eva-Margarita Elisabeth Mayr, 02./04.09.2026
YouTube
Free Software or Open Source Software? Is There A Difference?
"Free software" versus "open source software." Which term is correct? Do they mean the same thing or is there a difference?
📰 REFERENCED:
https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.en.html
https://opensource.org/osd-annotated
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September 4, 2026 171 2
