I agree that it is good to encourage the term "free software" over
"open source". But I still don't think that this is a crucial point.
Like you said, many say "open source" when they mean "free software".
I admit, sometimes I use the term "open source" as well in discussions
when I speak with people who are unfamiliar with free software -
because the term "open source" is more known than "free software" and
"free software" is confused with "Freeware" very often. Often there is
simply not enough time to explain the difference between "Freeware" and
"free software". What matters is the message that is transmitted.
Open source philosophy proposes to use open source software as much as
possible. And where it is not possible it proposes to use proprietary
software as long as this is better for the development model.
Free software philosophy proposes to eradicate non free software and to
develop alternatives to non free software or not use it at all.
The messages trasmitted by open source and by free software are
radically different. They convey different objectives and thus take
different routes. Promoting a common position betwen both confuses
people that do not understand the objectives of both movements. Both
movements can make free software but the objectives of both movements
cannot be mixed in the same container.
--
Quiliro Ordóñez
09 821 8696
02 340 1517
"No se puede sacrificar la libertad por ningún bien, por ninguna promesa
de pan o de paz o de justicia, porque ese pan tendría amargura de
veneno, esa paz sería de muerte, y esa justicia no sería justicia humana
ni tendría sentido." Alfredo Pérez Guerrero
"Não se pode sacrificar a liberdade por nenhum bem, por nenhuma promessa
de pan ou de paz ou de justiça, porque esse pan teria amargura de
veneno, essa paz seria de morte, e essa justiça não seria justiça humana
nem faria sentido." Alfredo Pérez Guerrero