Messaggi: 8
Lingua: English
Jocke (Mostra il profilo) 17 novembre 2007 16:22:09
erinja (Mostra il profilo) 17 novembre 2007 19:16:31
However, are you sure that Curso de Esperanto does not meet the "free software" conditions of the website you mentioned? Have you actually asked anyone in charge over there if you can have access to the source code and modify it if you want?
william (Mostra il profilo) 20 novembre 2007 12:48:15
awake (Mostra il profilo) 20 novembre 2007 15:09:37
The second, and more common meaning (at least when used in the phrase "free software") means that you can have access to the source code of the software and modify it as you wish (even sell it along with your changes). The only stipulation of free software of this variety is that you must make the source code for any of the changes you make available for free to anyone who wants it.
The most famous example of Free software is the Linux Opperating System. The most common is probably the Apache web server (which serves the majority of web pages on the internet).
william:What is free software? Something that can be downloaded without pay but cannot be redistributed for purpose of gain? Sorry for my ignorant reply.
Jocke (Mostra il profilo) 21 novembre 2007 14:33:17
erinja:I do not know of such a course off-hand.I looked around at the web site and the source code wasn't there. Then it isn't free software.
However, are you sure that Curso de Esperanto does not meet the "free software" conditions of the website you mentioned? Have you actually asked anyone in charge over there if you can have access to the source code and modify it if you want?
Awake, it's the GNU/Linux operating system.
Sometimes it isn't free however. erinja (Mostra il profilo) 21 novembre 2007 17:04:06
The website that you cited with relation to free source code said that for software to be considered free, there must be "access to the source code". If you can e-mail someone and get the source code, in my book that's "access to the source code". I saw nothing in the explanations of free software that referred to "source code downloadable from the software's website without ever having to speak with someone to request it."
Personally, I think you're being overly hasty in writing off Curso de Esperanto without even asking anyone if you can have the source code. Honestly, if you can't find what you want in Curso de Esperanto, I doubt you will find it anywhere, because it is the only downloadable course that I know of. (aside from the downloadable version of lernu, but its content is outdated and it does not meet your definition of free.)
Any other "downloadable" course I have ever come across is only downloadable in the sense that there are some text files that you can download and print out, with no interactive elements whatsoever. Maybe this is the kind of course that you would like to have. Since there is no source code to be had with a .txt file, presumably you would not have a problem with downloading it and using it. You can then construct your own computer program around the downloaded lessons, and publish it according to your beliefs with a GNU license.
WJason (Mostra il profilo) 21 novembre 2007 23:03:51
Free Software (or freeware) is just that: Available to download and use for free. It's often dispensed in hopes you will purchase the "pro" version or purchase a key to unlock more of its features. Or it could be software dispensed for philanthropic reasons. Source code is generally not avialable unless specified.
Open Source software is software for which the source code is available upon request. Alteration and whether or not you may charge for your changes are usually licensed by the provider and vary by product. Read the EULA carefully.
Free Download is a marketing ploy: The DOWNLOAD is free, but to USE the software will usually cost you. Sort of like the old joke: "May I ask you a question?" "You may ASK...."
And finally Shareware: Originally intended to mean "Please pay this starving college kid for his work if your conscience so moves you." But, I've seen it recently construed to mean "This is a trial version and you'll have to pay to use it beyond 15 days."
Just my humble opinion; but I hope it clears up some confusion. Oh, and "Caveat Emptor".
-Jason
guyjohnston (Mostra il profilo) 22 novembre 2007 18:04:09
WJason:It's been my experience that:Jocke was referring to the meaning of "free software" defined on the page he gave the link to - "free as in freedom", referred to in Esperanto as "libera programaro", rather than "senpaga programaro". There's more about that on Wikipedia [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_software ] in English[/url] and in Esperanto, and the Free Software Definition actually has an Esperanto translation here.
Free Software (or freeware) is just that: Available to download and use for free. It's often dispensed in hopes you will purchase the "pro" version or purchase a key to unlock more of its features. Or it could be software dispensed for philanthropic reasons. Source code is generally not avialable unless specified.
Open Source software is software for which the source code is available upon request. Alteration and whether or not you may charge for your changes are usually licensed by the provider and vary by product. Read the EULA carefully.
Free Download is a marketing ploy: The DOWNLOAD is free, but to USE the software will usually cost you. Sort of like the old joke: "May I ask you a question?" "You may ASK...."
And finally Shareware: Originally intended to mean "Please pay this starving college kid for his work if your conscience so moves you." But, I've seen it recently construed to mean "This is a trial version and you'll have to pay to use it beyond 15 days."
Just my humble opinion; but I hope it clears up some confusion. Oh, and "Caveat Emptor".
-Jason