ilmaisutilanteet

Ilmaisutilanteet, or free software, refers to software that is distributed with the freedom to use, study, change, and distribute it. This concept is central to the philosophy of free software, which was pioneered by Richard Stallman in the 1980s. The term "free" in this context refers to freedom, not price, emphasizing the user's rights rather than the cost of the software.

Free software is typically licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL) or similar licenses, which ensure that the software remains free and open-source. This means that the source code is available to anyone, allowing users to modify and distribute the software according to their needs. The GNU Project, initiated by Stallman, is a prominent example of free software, providing a wide range of tools and operating systems.

The free software movement has had a significant impact on the technology industry, influencing the development of open-source software and contributing to the growth of collaborative software development. Free software is used in various applications, from operating systems like GNU/Linux to development tools and web browsers. It is also a cornerstone of the open-source movement, which shares many of the same principles but may not always adhere to the strict licensing requirements of free software.

Despite its name, free software is not necessarily free of charge. While many free software projects are supported by donations or community contributions, there are also commercial entities that offer free software as part of their business model. The key distinction lies in the freedoms granted to users, rather than the cost of the software.