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Free and Open Source
Here you can learn what open source and free means, the difference between them, and what it means for you!
"Open source", has a very straight forward meaning. If something is open source, it means that the source code is openly available to users of a program. In other words, if you use an open source program, you have access to the code that makes it function.
"Free", in English, can mean different things depending on context. 'Free' can refer to "free as in price" or "free as in freedom". In the context of "free and open source", free refers to freedom. In order to make this distinction clear, the French terms "libre" and "gratis" are often used to describe 'free as in freedom' and 'free as in cost' respectively.
Think free as in free speech, not free as in free drinks.
Free and open source software, often referred to as "FOSS", "FLOSS", "libre", or simply "free software", has many inherent advantages.
- Freedom
- As its name suggests, free software places freedom above all else. By its very nature, free and open source software promotes user freedom, and inhibits developers from artificially resticting the people who user their software.
- Free software, as defined by the Free Software Foundation, guarantees the following freedoms:
- The freedom to run the program as you wish, for any purpose.
- The freedom to study how the program works, and change it so it works how you want.
- The freedom to redistribute exact copies of software.
- The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions to others.
- Security
- Open source software is often more secure than closed source, proprietary software. This is because the security of closed source software if dependent on the knowledge of a few developers, while open source code can be reviewed by anyone with technical knowledge to find potential vulnerabilities.
- However, it's important to note that open source is not inherently more secure than a proprietary alternative, since it's not a given that it's code has been reviewed. You should still use common sense when running free and open source software.
- Trustless
- Open source software is completely trustless, which means you don't have to trust that the person developing it has positive intentions. All you have to do is review the code yourself to determine whether or not it has malicious intent.
- Privacy
- Open source software is almost always much more respective of privacy, since anyone can review the source code to determine if the developer is doing something shady with user's information. In the case that they are, anyone can take the code and develop their own alternative without privacy concerns!
- Longevity
- Free and open source software often survives much longer than proprietary software, since anyone can continue to update it. Even if the original developer gets tired of working on a project, anyone else can take the code and pick up right where he or she left off.
Free software doesn't necessarily have to cost $0, but it does have to allow the users to preserve their freedoms. That being said, nearly all V0LT software happens to be both free as in cost, as well as in terms freedom.
It should be noted that "open source" and "free" software are not the same thing. Open source is a matter of practicality, while freedom is a matter of ethics. Free software is open source, but open source software isn't necessarily free. For example, a program can provide the source code that powers it while still prohibiting the user from distributing modified copies.
Below is a list of frequently asked questions about free software, and how it relates to V0LT.
- How do I tell if a V0LT program is free and open source?
- Practically all modern V0LT software is open source, so it's generaly safe to assume that any given V0LT program will be open source, unless otherwise noted.
- Programs that are free and open source are marked with an open circle icon on the Programs page like this:
- How can I view the code of an open source V0LT program?
- To view the source code of an open source V0LT program, simply open the program's page by clicking "More Info" on the Programs page, then download the source code packages at the bottom of the page.
- Am I allowed to use V0LT source code to make my own sofware?
- Absolutely! In fact, it the GPLv3 license explicitly allows it. However, should you use V0LT's free and open source software in your own software, your software must be released as free and open source as well. For example, if you modify a V0LT program's source code in order to turn it into something new, you're required to license your version under the same, GPLv3 license.
- Why aren't all V0LT programs open source?
- Practically all modern V0LT software is open source. However, there are several discontinued programs that are not. The majority of these programs are developed in Unity3D, which is a proprietary game engine. The dependence on Unity3D makes it impossible for these programs to ever be fully open source without re-writing them under a different platform.
- How do you make money off of programs if the code is freely available?
- Since I choose not to charge for my software, I generally don't make anything directly.
- One of the main ways V0LT makes money is by developing custom software for businesses and individuals. These programs are still open source, but it's often up to the customer to decide whether they want to release the software to the public.
- V0LT is also heavily dependent on donations. Users who find V0LT software useful, and want to support its development can make a donation to fund continued updates and new software releases.
- The third primary way V0LT makes money is through paid hardware and software services. While the software may be free to use, many customers pay for extended support to simplify the installation process. V0LT also offers hardware installation services for many first-party and third-party products.
- Am I allowed to sell V0LT software?
- Under the GPLv3 license, you are allowed to sell copies of V0LT software, even without explicit permission.
- I ask that you be honest and straight forward about it. For example, I have no issue with, and actually fully support selling copies of V0LT software on physical storage to users without internet access. However I discourage you from simply putting it for sale on your website as a quick cash grab, especially without informing users the software can be obtained for free from V0LT.
- Legally, the only requirement is that you distribute copies with the source code, and with the original copyright/license notices. This means that however you distribute sold copies, whether it be on CD, flash drive, a website, or email, copies must be sent with the source code and V0LT license along side. Just like with free copies, the source code must remain licensed under the GPLv3 license.
- Below is a list of examples of selling V0LT software that I would encourage.
- Downloading V0LT software and source code, traveling to a location without internet, and putting it on CDs to sell to people in a location without internet access.
- Studying and learning how a V0LT program works, and providing paid technical support to users.
- Porting a V0LT program to an operating system or platform it isn't currently supported on, and selling your ported copy.
- Selling a modified version of a V0LT program on your website that adds functionality.
- Below is a list of examples of selling V0LT software that are forbidden under the license.
- Distributing V0LT software with the copyright and license information removed.
- Distributing V0LT software without the associated source code.
- Couldn't people just steal your code, since it's all open?
- Absolutely. In fact, the right to study, change, adapt, and improve upon software is one of the main reasons I release my software as free and open source. However, by accessing or using open souce programs from V0LT, the user/developer agrees to follow the GNU General Public License v3. This license is very relaxed, but doesn't allow for original or modified versions of the software to be distributed as closed source. In other words, if someone wanted to steal an open source V0LT program, they'd still be legally required to distributed the source code along with it, making it very clear that they didn't write it.
- I'm interested in writing free software. Would you be willing to help me get started?
- I'm you're looking to distribute your software as free and open source, I'd be more than happy to help. In fact, through V0LT, I often help free software projects by creating branding materials, websites, and manuals at no charge. Get in touch using the information here, or check out the Made By V0LT program!