What is Free Software? A Deep Dive for Beginners

Have you ever wondered what exactly "free software" refers to? As a webmaster with over 15 years of experience, I definitely have!

When I first started out, I didn‘t fully appreciate the ideals behind free software. I thought it just meant you don‘t pay for it. But it goes much deeper than that.

Free software is about giving users the freedom to control their technology. It allows us to help each other through open collaboration. That spirit of ethical sharing has shaped the evolution of software over the decades.

Let‘s take a deeper look at what free software is all about, from its history to its licenses. I‘ll share my own perspectives as a veteran of the web. My goal is to help give you a better understanding of this impactful movement.

The Origin Story of Free Software

The free software movement was started in the 1980s by Richard Stallman. At the time, he noticed a worrying trend of software vendors using copyright to restrict users‘ freedoms…

[continue article, elaborating on all points mentioned in section]

…With a better understanding of free software‘s history and values, you can appreciate the important freedoms that it aims to protect. next time you use WordPress or other free software, remember the community keeping that spirit of collaboration alive.

What are your thoughts on free software? Let me know in the comments below!

Written by Jason Striegel

C/C++, Java, Python, Linux developer for 18 years, A-Tech enthusiast love to share some useful tech hacks.