Patrick, Your idea of free software is misconstrued. Richard Stallman, in his definition of free software, points out, "free software" is a matter of liberty, not price. To understand the concept, you should think of "free" as in "free speech" (freedom) not as in "free beer".
He goes further to say free software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software. More precisely, it refers to four kinds of freedom, for the users of the software: * 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 neighbour (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. Thus, you may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you may have obtained copies at no charge. But regardless of how you got your copies, you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, even to sell copies. Have a look at http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html for the complete definition of free software. Alphonse Ogulla Debian "woody" 3.0r1 user and hacker. // ) ) // / / ___ / __ ( ) ___ __ // / / //___) ) // ) ) / / // ) ) // ) ) // / / // // / / / / // / / // / / //____/ / ((____ ((___/ / / / ((___( ( // / / DISCLAIMER: This e-mail, any attachment and response string are confidential and may be legally privileged. Any opinions expressed in this mail do not necesarily reflect the opinions of Kenya Shell Limited/BP Kenya Limited. If you are not the intended recipient, please telephone or email the sender and delete this message and any attachment immediately. Please do not copy or forward this message or attachment. Internet communications are not secure and therefore Shell does not accept legal responsibility for the contents of this message as it has been transmitted over a public network. If you suspect the message may have been intercepted or amended, please call the sender. Kenya Shell Limited/BP Kenya Limited believes that this e-mail and any attachments are free of viruses. However, it is the responsibility of the recipient to ensure it is virus free and Kenya Shell Limited/BP Kenya Limited will not accept any responsibility for any loss or damage that may arise from the use of this e-mail or its contents.Thank you. For further information about Kenya Shell Limited/BP Kenya Limited, please see our website at http://www.shell.com/ke-en
