Free & Open Source
What is Free & Open Source Software?
Free and open source software is software that is licensed in such a way to give its users the freedom to use the software in any way they see fit and to modify and redistribute the software as necessary and without restriction. Ubuntu, the GNU/Linux operating system that we use at Free IT Athens, is one example of such software. It is written, updated, and maintained by thousands of volunteers all around the world and distributed via the Internet cost free.
Why Free & Open Source?
Free and open source software is utilized at Free IT Athens for a number of reasons.
- Free IT Athens is philosophically opposed to the restrictions that proprietary and commercial software places on the end user. It is within our mission and vision to use and promote free and open source technology and software.
- Free and open source software gives Free IT Athens and its clients the freedom to use software for any purpose. This freedom allows individuals to make as many copies of software as they wish, and to share the software they like unhindered. It also allows Free IT Athens to use as many copies of freely licensed software it needs to reach the maximum amount of people in our community -- commercial software licenses traditionally restrict this kind of freedom. Another perk of free and open source software is that it is not only freely shareable, it usually costs nothing.
- Free and open source software gives Free IT Athens and our clients the ability and freedom to study and modify software. The ability to see the source code, or secret recipe, enables Free IT Athens to modify the software to fit the needs and wants of those we serve. For example, since Ubuntu is freely modifiable, we are able to put educational software and other programs on the computers we sell and give to volunteers that is very specific to our community. We cannot do this with proprietary or commercial software.
- Free and open source software follows a community development framework that aims to empower users and raise social capital. Free IT Athens aims to do the same through providing technology and technology services to residents of Athens, Georgia.
- It's better. As free and open source software advocates, we feel that free and open source software is generally technologically superior to proprietary/commercial offerings. Since the technology of free and open source software is freely available to view and modify, many expert software developers from around the globe are able to fix bugs and security holes much more quickly than commercial software developers. Free and open source software also allows Free IT Athens to breathe new life into machines relegated to the trash heap due to previously installed bloated proprietary software.
You can learn more about free and open source software at the following sites: