[FSUG-Bangalore] Would this constitute as FUD

[S h i v]

On Mon, Sep 22, 2008 at 7:06 AM, James Mathew <james at gnu.org.in> wrote:
> On Sun, Sep 21, 2008 at 11:22 AM, Zenwalker <shailesh.zenwalk at gmail.com> wrote:
>> What Jonathan said is half correct, just saying Free software doesnt mean
>> that its Open Source. For example, the nVidia drivers are free software but
>> not open sourced.
>>
>
> Out of the 18 or so definitions available for the word 'free', all of
> them except one refers to free as in freedom. And yet we think we need
> the support of 'open source' to support the meaning of 'free'.
>

Yet, in everyday usage of the term as a qualifier for an item/product
there is hardly but one kind of usage that society at large is
familiar with.
* It is a free pen as against It is a free country

Usage 1 : free pen, free car, free book, free lunch,...
Usage 2 : free men, free life,...

To which usage would a commoner (without exposure to any which way)
fit "free software" into.

If it is a unfamiliar usage of the term, then getting the
communication right will be a constant struggle !
Not everyone is interested in fighting the struggle of words, instead
are happy to use the terms that do communicate the idea across and
help spread the spirit.

-Shiv