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by jnamaya 2436 days ago
Two weeks ago on Saturday morning I was driving my son to his soccer game through Medford MA, when in one of the bus stops I saw Richard Stallman waiting for the bus.

I told my wife, that's Richard! and I stopped right in the middle of the street and jumped out of the car. I ran toward him and hugged him, and told him to take care of himself and be strong. He didn't say a word.

I feel bad for the man, he looked a bit frail, and mind absent.

I can't believe history is being rewritten right in front of my eyes, the man that started it all is being forgotten. Open Source is just a catchy marketing phrase for "free software"
2 comments
aquabeagle 2435 days ago
He didn't say a word.

Maybe because you stopped in the middle of the street and jumped out of your car and then accosted him?

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hutzlibu 2436 days ago
"Open Source is just a catchy marketing phrase for "free software" "

Nope. Even RMS even insist it is not. Main difference is, free software usually enforces "copyleft".

And open source not.

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rmusial 2436 days ago
If you read https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.... Stallman states that Free Software doesn't have to do with copyleft vs permissive:

"Another misunderstanding of “open source” is the idea that it means “not using the GNU GPL.” This tends to accompany another misunderstanding that “free software” means “GPL-covered software.” These are both mistaken, since the GNU GPL qualifies as an open source license and most of the open source licenses qualify as free software licenses. There are many free software licenses aside from the GNU GPL."

The Open Source Initiative sees the GPL as Open Source, and the Free Software Foundation sees the ISC (OpenBSD license) as Free Software. Neither group's definition depends on if it is copyleft of permissive.

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orangeshark 2435 days ago
The main difference between Free Software and Open Software is what aspect of the software they focus on. Free Software is more on the freedom while Open Source is more on the development method. They still value the other aspects, just not as strongly.
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