But that has changed this year, with the phenomenal success of the iMac and G3 computers. Our guest today, Richard Stallman , creator of the GNU Project , refers to it as the distinction between free speech and free beer . He believes that users should be free to use and modify the software to suit their own needs. If that means modifying the code, so be it. If that means giving a copy of the software to a friend, so much the better.
Free software makes for a better society, the theory goes, so it's important to keep it free.
Again, the idea is to allow users the freedom to do what they wish with the program. That proprietary mindset is what Richard Stallman is trying to change. Gauging by success stories such as Linux and Perl , he may have a chance. You can help me by reporting expired links.