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by jupiter2 3492 days ago
> I always end up with 5: use, study, share, modify, share modifications

I wish the author had expanded the four freedoms (for clarity) instead of trying to condense it. I just don't think it effectively targets the different limitations that exist in software.

The categories you listed above are so clear and concise that further explanation seems unnecessary:

The 5 software freedoms in just 6 words.

It does a great job of breaking down the areas where I have seen limitations imposed by other software packages over the last three decades.

Even the first item - use - which at first glance may be the least troublesome, is riddled with limitations related to running on specific hardware, under certain conditions (non-commercial, certain networks, etc).

Final thought: I wonder if this list could be further expanded with a 'No Software Patents' or similar item - as it relates to Software Freedom (maybe this is just redundant?).

1 comments

Patents are in use, if there are patents you can't use it (without some sort of licence for those patents)