frednet
= F =
freeware
free software n.
As defined by Richard M. Stallman and
used by the Free Software movement, this means software that gives
users enough freedom to be used by the free software community.
Specifically, users must be free to modify the software for their
private use, and free to redistribute it either with or without
modifications, either commercially or noncommercially, either
gratis or charging a distribution fee. Free software has existed
since the dawn of computing; Free Software as a movement began in
1984 with the GNU Project.
RMS observes that the English word "free" can refer either to
liberty (where it means the same as the Spanish or French
"libre") or to price (where it means the same as the Spanish
"gratis" or French "gratuit"). RMS and other people associated
with the FSF like to explain the word "free" in "free software"
by saying "Free as an speech, not as in beer."
See also open source. Hard-core proponents of the term "free
software" sometimes reject this newer term, claiming that the style of
argument associated with it ignores or downplays the moral
imperative at the heart of free software.
--The Jargon File version 4.3.1, ed. ESR, autonoded by rescdsk.