What is the main difference between Free and Open Source Software?
I know that they’ve got different ideologies, but what is the essential difference? I think that Open Source can be a bit more restrictive (e.g. you can keep derivatives of your work from being sold), is that true? Are there any other, more general differnces?
I don’t mean ‘free’ as in ‘free beer’ or something. I’m talking about free software, based on the principles of freedom and stuff.
I believe that ‘free’ software is what it says on the tin!
Open Source, however, is also free, but you get access to the ‘source code’ which you may modify to suit your needs.
An example may be: AVG Antivirus; it’s free, but you don’t get it’s source code.
A Linux distribution however, also free, but you get access to the source code aswell.
With access to the source code, you can make system-wide changes to it & tailor-make it your own specfic requirements.
Hope that makes sense!
Free, is just free.
Open source is free AND you can edit the source code to make it better.