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Wordsmith on freedom to run and freedom to modify.

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Bradley M. Kuhn 2014-03-15 12:36:55 -04:00
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@ -194,44 +194,43 @@ freedom in detail.
\subsection{The Freedom to Run} \subsection{The Freedom to Run}
For a program to be Free Software, the freedom to run the program must The first tenant of software freedom is the user's fully unfettered right to
be completely unrestricted. This means any use for software the user run the program. The software's license must permit any conceivable use of
can come up with must be permitted. Perhaps, for example, the user the software. Perhaps, for example, the user has discovered an innovative
has discovered an innovative use for a particular program, one use for a particular program, one that the programmer never could have
that the programmer never could have predicted. Such a use must not predicted. Such a use must not be restricted.
be restricted.
It was once rare that this freedom was restricted by even proprietary It was once rare that this freedom was restricted by even proprietary
software; today it is not so rare. Most End User Licensing Agreements software; but such is quite common today. Most End User Licensing Agreements
(EULAs) that cover most proprietary software restrict some types of (EULAs) that cover most proprietary software typically restrict some types of
use. For example, some versions of Microsoft's FrontPage software uses. Such restrictions of any kind are an unacceptable restriction on
prohibit use of the software to create Web sites that generate software freedom.
negative publicity for Microsoft. Free Software has no such
restrictions; everyone is free to use Free Software for any purpose
whatsoever.
\subsection{The Freedom to Change and Modify} \subsection{The Freedom to Change and Modify}
Free Software programs allow users to change, modify and adapt the Perhaps the most useful right of software freedom is the users' right to
software to suit their needs. Access to the source code and related build change, modify and adapt the software to suit their needs. Access to the
scripts are an essential part of this freedom. Without the source code source code and related build and installation scripts are an essential part
and the ability to build the binary applications from that source, the of this freedom. Without the source code, and the ability to build and
freedom cannot be properly exercised. install the binary applications from that source, users cannot effectively
exercise this freedom.
Programmers can take direct benefit from this freedom, and often do. Programmers take direct benefit from this freedom. However, this freedom
However, this freedom is also important to users who are not programmers. remains important to users who are not programmers. While it may seem
Users must have the right to exercise this freedom indirectly in both counterintuitive at first, non-programmer users often exercise this freedom
commercial and noncommercial settings. For example, users often seek indirectly in both commercial and noncommercial settings. For example, users
noncommercial help with the software on email lists and in users groups. often seek noncommercial help with the software on email lists and in users
When they find such help, they must have the freedom to recruit groups. To make use of such help they must either have the freedom to
programmers who might altruistically assist them to modify their software. recruit programmers who might altruistically assist them to modify their
software, or to at least follow rote instructions to make basic modifications
themselves.
The commercial exercise of this freedom is also essential for users. Each More commonly, users also exercise this freedom commercially. Each user, or
user, or group of users, must have the right to hire anyone they wish in a group of users, may hire anyone they wish in a competitive free market to
competitive free market to modify and change the software. This means modify and change the software. This means that companies have a right to
that companies have a right to hire anyone they wish to modify their Free hire anyone they wish to modify their Free Software. Additionally, such
Software. Additionally, such companies may contract with other companies companies may contract with other companies to commission software
to commission software modification. modification.
\subsection{The Freedom to Copy and Share} \subsection{The Freedom to Copy and Share}