The Semantics of Free Software vs. Open Source

An anonymous reader writes "As the end-of-year technology round-ups begin, LinuxWorld's Kevin Bedell notes that in his opinion no useful distinction is served any longer by preserving the two separate terms 'open source software' and 'free software'. One interesting sidelight: Bedell says that 'one of the leaders of the open source movement' wrote to him in an exchange they had on this topic: 'The distinction between 'open source' and 'free software' is not technical; it's the same code and licenses. Nor is it social; it's the same developers. It's strictly one of attitude - are we focused on moralism and changing peoples' thoughts (free software) or on results and changing peoples' behavior (open source)?'"

Liberated Software

[Langley]

Maybe RMS should have called it Emancipated Software.

I'm sure we won't settle it here.....

[EggMan2000]

The laugh I'm having is that it reminds me of Monty Python and the People's front of Judea vs. The Judean Peoples Front.

That said, I think should be enough....

Re:Free?

[Foofoobar]

HA! Getting RMS to comprimise is alot like trying to melt the polar icecaps with a blow dryer and box of matches. Give me an update on your progress in about 20 years.

Re:I'm sure we won't settle it here.....

[Anonymous Coward]

Splitter.

Call it French Software

[starling]

It worked for Freedom Fries so it should work for software too.

Re:Free?

[Rufus88]

"Liberated Software"

Is this what we call software after we bomb the living crap out of it?