Explaining free and open source software

Abstract

The article offers information about free and open source software in libraries in the U.S. The software is considered a creation that owes the person or people who created it. It notes that understanding the difference between free software defined by the Free Software Foundation (FSF) and open source software defined by the Open Source Initiative (OSI) is important. Computer software users are entitled to the freedom to manage the program for any purpose, study how the program works and adapt it to the needs, and to redistribute copies to help the neighbors.