Posted by: Anonymous Coward
on December 18, 2003 01:01 PM
I think the term 'free software' is the better term. The 'free' in 'free software' is used as an adjective to describe the qualities of the noun 'software'. 'freedom', on the other hand, is a noun which describes a state of being all its own. 'freedom software' - two nouns used together - does not always mean that they are related to each other e.g. 'microsoft innovation'.
Free (fr[=e]), a. [Compar. Freer (-[~e]r); superl.
Freest (-[e^]st).] [OE. fre, freo, AS. fre['o], fr[=i]; akin to D. vrij, OS. & OHG. fr[=i], G. frei, Icel. fr[=i], Sw. & Dan. fri, Goth. freis, and also to Skr. prija beloved, dear, fr. pr[=i] to love, Goth. frij[=o]n. Cf. Affray, Belfry, Friday, Friend, Frith inclosure.]
1. Exempt from subjection to the will of others; not under restraint, control, or compulsion; able to follow one's own impulses, desires, or inclinations; determining one's own course of action; not dependent; at liberty.
"That which has the power, or not the power, to operate, is that alone which is or is not free." --Locke.
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Re:problem with the words 'Free Software'
Posted by: Anonymous Coward on December 18, 2003 01:01 PMFree (fr[=e]), a. [Compar. Freer (-[~e]r); superl.
Freest (-[e^]st).] [OE. fre, freo, AS. fre['o], fr[=i]; akin to D. vrij, OS. & OHG. fr[=i], G. frei, Icel. fr[=i], Sw. & Dan. fri, Goth. freis, and also to Skr. prija beloved, dear, fr. pr[=i] to love, Goth. frij[=o]n. Cf. Affray, Belfry, Friday, Friend, Frith inclosure.]
1. Exempt from subjection to the will of others; not under restraint, control, or compulsion; able to follow one's own impulses, desires, or inclinations; determining one's own course of action; not dependent; at liberty.
"That which has the power, or not the power, to operate, is that alone which is or is not free."
--Locke.
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