I wanted to share my view of the free software / open source concepts and also check for correctness. So here's it:
Free software talks mostly about the liberties of a software user and less about the means to develop the software it self ( http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html):
- The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0). - The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a precondition for this. - The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor (freedom 2). - The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements to the public, so that the whole community benefits (freedom 3). Access to the source code is a precondition for this
I noticed this talks little about the way software development is actually organized. One guy can stay alone in his cellar and make a marvelous software and then publish it under a free software license, without working with others at all.
Open source Definition (http://www.opensource.org/docs/definition.php) talks very little about the actual end user, and more about how the software is developed, the actual process of developing software.
I know this is a sore point in most communities, I was hoping to bring a new perspective on the matter. So don't bust me if I got it wrong.