+The free software definition presents the criteria for whether a particular software program qualifies as free software. From time to time we revise this definition, to clarify it or to resolve questions about subtle issues. See the History section below for a list of changes that affect the definition of free software. +
“Free software” means software that respects users' -freedom and community. Roughly, the users have the freedom to run, -copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software. With these +freedom and community. Roughly, the users have the freedom to run, +copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software. With these freedoms, the users (both individually and collectively) control the program and what it does for them.
@@ -105,7 +107,7 @@In order for freedoms 1 and 3 (the freedom to make changes and the -freedom to publish improved versions) to be meaningful, you must have +freedom to publish the changed versions) to be meaningful, you must have access to the source code of the program. Therefore, accessibility of source code is a necessary condition for free software. Obfuscated “source code” is not real source code and does not count @@ -171,8 +173,8 @@
Whether a change constitutes an improvement is a subjective matter. -If your modifications are limited, in substance, to changes that -someone else considers an improvement, that is not freedom. +If your right to modify a program is limited, in substance, to changes that +someone else considers an improvement, that program is not free.
@@ -192,7 +194,7 @@ which the program will be invoked from other programs. That effectively hampers you from releasing your changed version so that it can replace the original when invoked by those other programs. This -sort of requirement is acceptable only if there's an suitable aliasing +sort of requirement is acceptable only if there's a suitable aliasing facility that allows you to specify the original program's name as an alias for the modified version.
@@ -297,7 +299,7 @@ and avoid various practical problems. -Software manuals must be free, @@ -319,7 +321,7 @@ free cultural works applicable to any kind of works.
-Another group has started using the term “open source” to mean @@ -330,7 +332,7 @@ never refers to freedom.
-From time to time we revise this Free Software Definition. Here is the list of changes, along with links to show exactly what was @@ -452,121 +454,23 @@
-Copyright © 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, -2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010 Free Software Foundation, Inc. +Copyright © 1996-2002, 2004-2007, 2009, 2010, 2012 Free Software +Foundation, Inc.
This page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License.
--Updated: + + +
Updated: -$Date: 2012/02/20 07:46:37 $ +$Date: 2013/02/09 06:11:14 $
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -