[loginusername]

Or I could just use an open source alternative that does not require jumping through such hoops.

One where I can edit and compile the source, run it and redistribute it, too. All for free. But I guess all that is also possible under this shared source program you mention?

[robotresearcher]

I don't think you need to sarcastically explain the benefits of Free Software in this forum.

[loginusername]

I agree. Which is why I do not understand how anyone can claim Windows is not "closed source" in the sense of the opposite of "open source", as that term is commonly understood in this forum. Maybe they were being sarcastic?