this post was submitted on 19 Mar 2025
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Free software or open source? A small inspection. (lemmy.ml)
submitted 21 hours ago by libre_warrior@lemmy.ml to c/technology@lemmy.world
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Freedom is such a vague word, we shouldn’t use this word if we want to be precise about what we mean by it.

When we talk about free software, we point to transparency, studyability, tinkerability and sharability. The openness to allow ourselves to use our tools with freedom.

However, I do not think we should use the term open source. The reason for my distancing of the word source is because the word makes us think about development instead of the end user. Because if we want these kinds of software to appeal to the masses, we the word to emphasize that it is meant for them. Instead, I would use the term open software, open tool or open machine.

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[–] Xanza@lemm.ee 14 points 20 hours ago

Freedom is such a vague word, we shouldn’t use this word if we want to be precise about what we mean by it.

I cannot more strongly disagree as it's very explicitly defined. Libre software is not the same as open source software even though the non-initiated equate the two.

However, I do not think we should use the term open source.

This is why most people use the term FOSS now; free and open source software. Then of course there's Libre.