[Office-commits] r10051 - trunk/campaigns

[sysadmin]

Author: www-data
Date: Wed Oct  7 20:37:46 2009
New Revision: 10051

Log:
web commit by tal82k

Added:
   trunk/campaigns/osfreewhy.mdwn

Added: trunk/campaigns/osfreewhy.mdwn
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+++ trunk/campaigns/osfreewhy.mdwn      Wed Oct  7 20:37:46 2009        (r10051)
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+An Operating System is a very large piece of software on your computer that 
allows you to run other programs.  Some common operating systems are Windows 7, 
Windows Vista, Windows XP, or MacOS X.  
+
+The operating system is not built in to the computer (hardware).  A user can 
change their operating system to something that is easier to use, or more well 
suited to their needs.  Most computers in the world run some version of 
Windows.  This is not an inherent problem.  But because Microsoft does not 
respect the users' freedoms, it is a cause for concern.
+
+If Microsoft (the maker of Windows) respected its users' freedoms, Windows 
could be great.  The same is true for MacOS(and Apple).  What does it mean to 
respect a user's freedoms?  Free Software is software that respects a user's 
freedoms. It is free as in freedom (libre in Spanish), not free as in 
without-charge (gratis in Spanish).  For this reason Free Software is often 
known as Software Libre.  The Free Software Foundation maintains a definition 
of what it means for software to be free.  These freedoms are: 
+
+*The freedom to run the program, for any purpose
+
+*The freedom to study how the program works, and change it to make it do what 
you wish. Access to the source code is a precondition for this. 
+
+*The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor.
+
+*The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements (and 
modified versions in general) to the public, so that the whole community 
benefits. Access to the source code is a precondition for this. 
+
+So what is the alternative?  There are Free Software operating systems.  The 
most common of these is GNU/Linux, more commonly known simply as Linux.  
GNU/Linux is very powerful particularly because it is free.  
+
+You might wonder, "If everyone has access to the source code, doesn't that 
make it vulnerable?"  Actually, the availability of source code allows for a 
more secure system.  When a vulnerability is found, anyone can fix it, and 
distribute their fix.  You do not have to wait for an update from the company 
or a new version of the software.  Often security fixes for GNU/Linux systems 
are out the next day after a vulnerability is discovered!
+
+Does it upset you that Microsoft and Apple take your freedom, your rights, for 
granted?  It should.  But, how can you fight back?  There are so many ways.  
You can learn more about our campaign  to show the problems with Windows 7 at 
www.windows7sins.org.  Another really big way to fight back is by refusing to 
use a non-free operating system.  GNU/Linux is a great way to do that.
+
+There are a lot of distributions of GNU/Linux.  A distribution is sort of like 
a flavor.  Each distribution has its own look and feel.  Some are easier to 
use, and some more difficult.  Some are more free and some are less.  Most 
distributions are free-of-charge, which is another advantage over non-Free 
systems.  You can get free updates for life.  The FSF maintains a list of fully 
Free distributions at www.gnu.org/distros/free-distros.html.  There is also a 
list of common GNU/Linux distributions that are not fully endorsed by the FSF 
with reasons why.  That is available at 
http://www.gnu.org/distros/common-distros.html.
+
+To better understand the relevance of Free Software through analogies, please 
watch the Freedom Fry video (http://www.gnu.org/fry/happy-birthday-to-gnu.html) 
or read the Car Analogy [[thecaranalogy_bullet_version]]