However, software where the binary is distributed for free ( eg the drivers for ATI and NVIDEA cards for Linux from those companies, the firmware for almost all wireless cards, ...) but source code is NOT supplied, and the license with the free software explicitly disallows reverse engineering, so it is certainly not open source.
Such software is not free software. The license for free software never prohibits reverse engineering, if it does, it is a non-free license. ATI's and Nvidious drivers are clearly not free software since they disallow you from studying the drivers, and modifying them. Free software is defined as follows (from http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html, which is a useful reading): * The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0). * The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a precondition for this. * The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor (freedom 2). * The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements to the public, so that the whole community benefits (freedom 3). Access to the source code is a precondition for this. _______________________________________________ gnu-misc-discuss mailing list [email protected] http://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/gnu-misc-discuss
