ilmaisurajoja

Ilmaisurajoja, or free software, refers to software that is distributed with the freedom to use, study, modify, and distribute the software, and to distribute modified versions of the software. This concept is central to the philosophy of free software, which emphasizes the importance of user freedom and the ethical treatment of software users. The term "free" in this context refers to freedom, not price, as the software may be available for purchase or even for free.

The Free Software Foundation (FSF) is a prominent organization that advocates for free software. The FSF defines four essential freedoms that free software must provide:

1. The freedom to run the program as you wish, for any purpose.

2. The freedom to study how the program works, and change it to make it do what you wish.

3. The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help others.

4. The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions to others.

Free software is often contrasted with proprietary software, which restricts these freedoms. Examples of free software include the Linux operating system, the GNU Project's software, and various applications like LibreOffice and GIMP. These programs are typically distributed under licenses such as the GNU General Public License (GPL), which ensures that the freedoms are preserved.

The free software movement has had a significant impact on the software industry, influencing the development of open-source software and contributing to the growth of collaborative software development communities. It has also led to the creation of alternative software ecosystems that prioritize user freedom and privacy.