On Thu 19 June 2003 13:14, Joerg Schilling wrote: > From [EMAIL PROTECTED] Wed Jun 18 16:03:00 2003 > > >> Well, cdrecord-ProDVD definitely is free for private and > >> research/educational use. > > > >s/free/libre/ > > Do you really belive that the context changes if you only > translate from english to french?
"Libre" is used by the Free Software Foundation and others to express software that has four kinds of freedom (from http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html): # The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0). # The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a precondition for this. # The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor (freedom 2). # The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements to the public, so that the whole community benefits (freedom 3). Access to the source code is a precondition for this. The problem with English is that the word free means free-of-charge as well as free-as-in-freedom, and people generally think of the former when you mention free software. Hence the use of the term "libre" which means free-as-in-freedom, but not free-of-charge (compare "gratis" and "frei" in German). This avoids exactly the confusion in the parent posts. The context isn't different, it's just a more exact description. I realise and respect that you don't care much about these four freedoms, but opinions and values differ and people should have the right to form their own opinions and choose whether to use software based on their own principles. Lourens -- GPG public key: http://home.student.utwente.nl/l.e.veen/lourens.key -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
