My approach to free software
If you are on this site I imagine you know the concepts of free software, if you do not know them you are wondering… But free of what?
Free from any constraints, a program with closed source cannot be modified, copied or simply studied.
The principles of open source instead guarantee four fundamental freedoms:
The site gnu.org says:
- Freedom to run the program as you wish, for any purpose (freedom 0).
- Freedom to study how the program works and to modify it to suit your needs (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a prerequisite.
- Freedom to redistribute copies in order to help others (freedom 2).
- Freedom to improve the program and distribute publicly the improvements you make (and your modified versions in general), so that the whole community benefits (freedom 3). Access to the source code is a prerequisite.
These are non-obligatory freedoms, so we can enjoy the excellent software, on average safer than closed source counterparts without problems but remembering that there is always the possibility to contribute with your own time, work or money.
- *How can you contribute to free software? **
- By performing trductions in your native language
- Writing or testing code
- Creating Manuals
- Supporting developers with a donation
Why contribute to free software?
- If you are a student you can learn how to develop quality software in a team (and in CV these collaborations matter a lot)
- If you are a professional you can show how much you are worth
- Maybe the next successful software will be yours!
- Free does not mean free, you can lay the foundations of a solid company with free software.