In response to
“free-as-in-speech” vs. "free-as-in-beer”“free-as-in-speech” vs. "free-as-in-beer”
I originally posted this on unix.stackexchange but it was closed and deleted.
http://unix.stackexchange.com/questions/3398/reply-from-richard-stallman-free-as-in-speech-and-free-as-in-beerhttps://unix.stackexchange.com/questions/3398/reply-from-richard-stallman-free-as-in-speech-and-free-as-in-beer
I'm wondering why that is?
Any feedbacks on this topic from anyone?
From: Richard Stallman
Date: Fri, Oct 22, 2010 at 9:12 AM
Subject: Re: “free-as-in-speech” vs. "free-as-in-beer”
To: RENJITH G
QN: I would like to know the exact meaning of "free-as-in-speech" and "free-as-in-beer" It is hard to give "exact" meanings for philosophical concepts, so I am a bit lost.
The English word "free" has two different meanings. Many other languages have different words for them. For instance, I think Hindi has "mukt" for "free as in freedom" and "muft" for "gratis, zero price'.
QN: Also why this example words (the words free-as-in-speech and free-as-in-beer) are being used to descibe the concept?
Those are not the words I use. I use "free as in 'free speech'" and "free as in 'free beer'". Is that clearer?
It seems you heard someone else shorten the two phrases a little.
-- Richard Stallman
President, Free Software Foundation
51 Franklin St
Boston MA 02110 USA
www.fsf.org, www.gnu.org
