The Truth About ‘Free’ Software for Nonprofits

The Free Software Foundation promotes free software. They say that ’Free software’ is a matter of liberty, not price. To understand the concept, you should think of “free’’ as in “free speech,’’ not as in “free beer.’’ They list four specific freedoms that Free Software grants to its users: freedom to run the program for any purpose; freedom to study how the program works and adapt it to your needs; freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor; and freedom to improve the program and release your improvements to the public, so that the whole community benefits.