[saulpw]

"Free" has several meanings: free-as-in-speech, free-as-in-beer, free-as-in-puppy. I release my software under an open source license at no cost, but it means that I get to set the defaults on the version I distribute. And if my defaults include a brag screen or a request for citation or other annoyances, then you are free to modify it to remove those. That's what Free Software is all about. You do not get to staple on a further definition to "free" so that it's now a pseudo-spiritual sacrifice for the benefit of everyone but the author themselves.

If that means I don't understand the rationale behind free software, so be it. My software is still Free as in Speech (most important) and Free as in Beer (you're welcome). You can choose differently in the free software you develop and that's fine too.

Edit: ChatGPT provides some other usages of "free":

- Free as in love: Unconditional, without expectation of return.

- Free as in wind: Unpredictable and uncontainable.

- Free as in 'free sample': A teaser, often leading to a paid service or product.

- Free as in 'free time': Availability, the freedom to use one's time as one wishes.

- Free as in 'free agent': Unattached and able to choose one's path or affiliation.

[Brian_K_White]

When was the last time you cited tcp/ip? Or bash? It's ludicrous to expect citation of tools.

How about everyone in all the linux kernel changelogs from 1994 to now? They all did valuable work that you used to produce whatever you've produced.

The tools themselves carry their own citation already.

A list of definitions of the word free (from whatever source) is meaningless and irrelevant.

Citing the brand of your pencil and paper is product placement.

[saulpw]

None of those tools asked me to cite them. Bram asked that I give to his Uganda charity, and I didn't complain that his software wasn't "free" enough.