FOSS (Free and Open Source Software)

cbsecsip

17 Dec 202005:33

Summary

TLDRThis video script explains the concept of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS). It distinguishes between free software and open source software, emphasizing that FOSS combines both, allowing users the freedom to run, study, distribute, and improve the software. Examples of FOSS include Linux, Apache Web Server, OBS Studio, NetBeans, LibreOffice, and more. The script invites viewers to explore these examples and engage in discussions about FOSS in the comments section.

Takeaways

😀 Free and open-source software (FOSS) can be classified as both free software and open-source software.
📝 The term 'free software' refers to freedom, not price, meaning users have the liberty to use, study, distribute, and modify the software.
🌐 'Open-source software' implies that the source code is accessible, allowing users to study, change, and enhance the software.
🔄 Free software provides four essential freedoms: to run the program for any purpose, to study and change the software, to redistribute copies, and to release improvements to the public.
🌟 Examples of FOSS include Linux, Apache Web Server, OBS Studio for screen recording, and NetBeans, an integrated development environment.
📚 LibreOffice, similar to Microsoft Office, is a free and open-source office suite that can handle documents, spreadsheets, and more.
🌍 The terms 'Libre' (Spanish for 'free') and 'FOSS' are used interchangeably, emphasizing the software's freedom.
🌐 Free and open-source software is often referred to as FLOSS (Free/Libre Open Source Software), highlighting its dual nature.
💻 Users can download the source code for Linux, Apache, and other FOSS from the internet, modify it, and distribute it further.
🔍 For more examples of FOSS, one can search on Wikipedia or visit the provided link in the video description.

Q & A

What does the term 'Free and Open Source Software' refer to?
-Free and Open Source Software refers to software that can be classified as both free software and open source software. It implies that the software is not only available at no cost but also allows users to access, study, modify, and distribute the source code.
What does 'free software' mean in the context of the script?
-In the script, 'free software' means software that provides the user with the freedom to run the program for any purpose, study how the program works, distribute copies, and release improvements to the public. It's about liberty, not price.
How does the script define 'open source software'?
-The script defines 'open source software' as software with source code that is available and accessible to everyone. Users can study, change, and distribute the software to anyone and anywhere.
What are the four essential freedoms associated with free software as described in the script?
-The script mentions that free software provides four essential freedoms: the freedom to run the program for any purpose, the freedom to study how the program works and change it, the freedom to redistribute copies, and the freedom to release improvements to the public.
Can you provide an example of Free and Open Source Software from the script?
-Yes, the script provides several examples of FLOSS, including Linux (an operating system), Apache Web Server, OBS Studio (screen recording software), NetBeans (an integrated development environment), and LibreOffice/OpenOffice (office suite software).
What is the significance of the term 'GNU' in the context of Free and Open Source Software?
-The term 'GNU' stands for 'GNU's Not Unix' and is significant because it refers to the GNU Project, which aims to develop a free Unix-like operating system. The script mentions GNU/Linux, highlighting the combination of the GNU operating system with the Linux kernel.
What does the script imply about the source code of Free and Open Source Software?
-The script implies that the source code of Free and Open Source Software should be freely available, allowing users to access, study, and make changes to it, which is a fundamental aspect of open source software.
How does the script suggest one can obtain Free and Open Source Software?
-The script suggests that one can obtain Free and Open Source Software by downloading the source code from the internet, making changes if desired, and even distributing the modified version.
What is the difference between 'free software' and 'open source software' according to the script?
-While both 'free software' and 'open source software' refer to software that can be freely used and shared, 'free software' emphasizes the freedom and ethical aspects, whereas 'open source software' focuses more on the practical benefits of having accessible source code for collaboration and improvement.
How does the script describe the relationship between 'free software' and 'open source software'?
-The script describes 'free software' and 'open source software' as being closely related, with the key difference being their focus. Both types of software provide the freedom to use, study, modify, and distribute the software, but free software is about liberty, and open source software is about collaboration and practicality.
What is the script's stance on the cost of Free and Open Source Software?
-The script clarifies that 'free' in 'free software' does not mean 'zero cost' but refers to the freedom provided to the user. The software can be free of cost, but the term 'free' is more about the liberties it provides rather than its price.

Outlines

00:00

💻 Understanding Free and Open Source Software

The script discusses the concept of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS). It explains that FOSS can be classified as both free software and open source software. Free software is defined by the freedom it provides to the user, not necessarily its cost. It emphasizes the four essential freedoms: the freedom to run the program, study how it works, distribute copies, and improve the program and release the improvements to the public. Open source software is characterized by its source code being accessible, allowing users to study, modify, and enhance the software. Examples of FOSS include Linux, Apache Web Server, OBS Studio for screen recording, NetBeans for integrated development environment, and LibreOffice/OpenOffice, which are alternatives to Microsoft Office. The script also mentions that these software are available for free on websites and can be found by searching on platforms like Wikipedia.

05:04

🔍 Seeking Further Information on FOSS

The second paragraph serves as a call to action for viewers to explore more about Free and Open Source Software. It invites them to search for more examples on Wikipedia from the comfort of their homes. The speaker also provides a link in the description for further reference and encourages viewers to discuss any doubts in the comment section. The script concludes with a note that the next video will continue the discussion on FOSS, and thanks the viewers for watching.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Free and Open Source Software (FOSS)

Free and Open Source Software, or FOSS, refers to software that can be freely used, modified, and shared. In the context of the video, FOSS is the central theme, emphasizing the dual nature of being free to use and open in terms of its source code availability. Examples from the script include software like Linux, Apache Web Server, and LibreOffice, which are all FOSS, allowing users to download, modify, and distribute the software as they wish.

💡Free Software

Free software is defined by the freedom it provides to users, not necessarily its cost. As discussed in the video, free software means 'freedom' rather than 'zero price.' It grants users the liberty to run, study, and distribute the software without restrictions. The video uses the term to differentiate between software that is merely cost-free and that which offers broader freedoms, such as the right to modify and share improvements.

💡Open Source Software

Open source software is characterized by its accessible source code, allowing users to view, modify, and enhance the software. The video explains that for software to be considered free, it should also be open source, meaning the source code is available for anyone to study and make changes. Examples include software like the Apache Web Server, where users can access the source code online and distribute modified versions.

💡Source Code

Source code is the original code written by programmers from which a program is built. In the video, source code is a critical component of open source software, as it must be accessible for the software to be truly open. The script mentions that with open source software, users have the freedom to study and change the source code, which is a fundamental aspect of the open source philosophy.

💡GNU General Public License (GPL)

The GNU General Public License is a widely used free software license that guarantees end users the freedom to run, study, share, and modify the software. The video mentions GPL as a type of license that ensures the software remains free and open, allowing users to distribute copies and modified versions under the same terms.

💡LibreOffice

LibreOffice is an example of open source office software mentioned in the video. It is a suite of applications that is functionally similar to Microsoft Office but is free and open source, allowing users to access its source code and modify it. LibreOffice exemplifies the concept of free software by offering an alternative to proprietary software without compromising on features.

💡Apache Web Server

The Apache Web Server is highlighted in the video as an example of free and open source software. It is a widely used web server software that allows users to host websites and web applications. The script notes that its source code is available online, allowing users to download, study, and distribute it, which underscores the principles of open source software.

💡Screen Recording Software

Screen recording software, such as OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) mentioned in the video, is a type of application that records screen and audio activity. The video points out that OBS is free and open source, meaning users can access its source code and modify it to suit their needs, which is a common benefit of FOSS.

💡Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

An Integrated Development Environment, or IDE, is a software application that provides comprehensive facilities to computer programmers for software development. The video mentions IDEs like NetBeans, which are free and open source, allowing developers to access the source code and potentially contribute to the software's development.

💡Public Release

Public release in the context of the video refers to the act of making software available to the general public, often after improvements or modifications. The video emphasizes the freedom to release improved versions of the software publicly, which is a key aspect of open source software, allowing for community contributions and enhancements.

💡GNU/Linux

GNU/Linux, or simply Linux, is an operating system that is an example of free and open source software. The video script mentions Linux as a software where users can download the source code and distribute it with modifications. Linux is a prime example of the collaborative development model of open source software, where the community contributes to the operating system's ongoing development.

Highlights

Introduction to Free and Open Source Software (FOSS), explaining that it includes both free software and open source software.

Clarification that 'free' in 'free software' refers to liberty, not price, emphasizing user freedom over cost.

Free software provides users with the freedom to run, study, distribute, and improve the software.

Explanation of open source software, where the source code is made publicly available, enabling modifications and improvements.

For software to be both free and open source, it must provide access to the source code to allow study and changes.

Anyone can use, study, and modify open source software, which encourages voluntary contributions to improve the software.

Open source software enables the redistribution of modified versions to the public, promoting collaboration and innovation.

Distinction between proprietary software (e.g., Microsoft Office) and free/open-source alternatives (e.g., LibreOffice).

Examples of FOSS include Linux, an operating system, where users can download the source code, modify it, and redistribute it.

Apache Web Server is cited as another FOSS example, where its source code is available online for users.

OBS Studio, a screen-recording software, is highlighted as a free and open-source tool.

NetBeans, an Integrated Development Environment (IDE), is also described as a FOSS that allows coding and development.

LibreOffice and OpenOffice are presented as free and open-source alternatives to proprietary office software like Microsoft Office.

The speaker encourages viewers to explore more examples of FOSS on Wikipedia or other websites for further learning.

Concluding note that viewers can ask questions in the comment section and will be addressed in future videos.