Free/Libre/Open-Source Software
From Free net encyclopedia
Free/Libre/Open-Source Software, or FLOSS, is an alternative term for free software. It is used by those who wish to be inclusive or who do not want to take a side on whether "free software" or "open-source software" is a better term. Although neither side has shown much enthusiasm for the term "FLOSS".
The term FLOSS is often used to bridge the ideological divide between the free software and open source software movements. The term FLOSS is useful for those who, for a variety of reasons, do not want to align themselves with one group and alienate the other. FLOSS can also be used as a neutral term when discussing free / open source software with those of differing ideological viewpoints.
Historically, FLOSS was first used as a project acronym by Rishab Aiyer Ghosh. In 2001 the European Commission (EC) used the phrase when they funded a study on the topic, and in July 2002 they further popularised the acronym by publishing both a FLOSS survey and study and a FLOSS workshop report.[1][2] The EC chose FLOSS as an inclusive acronym that hopefully would not further antagonize the main participants in the naming controversy. Richard Stallman has acknowledged and recommended use of the phrase Free/Libre/Open Source Software by those who refuse to commit themselves explicity to his philosophical approach.[3]
In constructing the FLOSS phrase, the French/Spanish word libre was included to emphasize the "freedom from entanglements" meaning of the English word free, as opposed to the unintended (but frequently assumed) "pay no money" meaning.
The similarly derived acronym FOSS avoids using libre not because of any disagreement with this clarification, but to avoid collision with the English word "floss".
The FLOSS acronym translates readily into other European languages, with for example the "F" representing free (English) or frei (German), and the "L" representing libre (Spanish or French), livre (Portuguese), libero (Italian) or liber (Romanian).
By the end of 2004, the FLOSS acronym has been used in official English documents issued by South Africa, Spain[4], and Brazil[5].
The FLOSS acronym is not used in official Spanish and Portuguese documents, since in these languages the unambiguious words libre and livre suffice.
See also
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External links
- FLOSSWorld - Free/Libre/Open-Source Software: Worldwide impact study, to find out more about the recently announced European Union funded study.
- Free/Libre and Open Source Software: Survey and Study FLOSS Workshop report, links to full study.
- Please read original The Lifecycle of Software Technology) to find more.
- Free as in Education. Significance of the Free/Libre and Open Source Software for Developing Countries.
- Information for development www.i4donline.net
- FOSS primers at International Open Source Network (IOSN) by UNDP
- FOSS examples and adoption in countries
- FLOSSCON ::A premier Free Libre and Open Source Software annual event, bringing together all the free and open minded people around the world, held in Kolkata India.
- Free Software / Open Source: Information Society Opportunities for Europe? (2000) -- Report includes section about possible economic models for Free/Libre and Open Source Software.de:FLOSS