Discussion
Both #OpenSource and #FreeSoftware can be copyleft.
The difference between Open Source and Free Software is not defined by copyleft. So simplest test would be to check if users can actually use the modified version or not.
So far I only know about the #Tivo example which clearly distinguish between both philosophies. Copyleft cannot do that as both philosophies treat copyleft as option requirement in base definition. (1/2)
@Suiseiseki Basically Free Software movement found it as a loophole in GPLv2 and fixed it in GPLv3.
But Open Source supporters did not find it a problem as their goal is to create better software, so patches is enough to make them happy.
@MuhammadFreeSoftware I come across people all the time who thinks this way. In their mind, Free Software = Copyleft only and non copyleft = Open Source.
Tivo example lets us explain the difference in simple and easy to understand way.
Linus Torvalds (#OpenSource) is happy that Tivo is using #linux kernel.
RMS (#FreeSoftware) is not happy because you cannot install a modified version.
This difference comes from the spirit of both movements, not from their definitions. Because both camps did not forsee such a situation when writing their definitions.
Tivo is a device sold in the US that lets you record TV so you can watch later. ( 2/2)
Even long time community members have this confusion ( Free Software must be copyleft and Open Source is always permissive).
This discussion keeps coming back in #fsci every now and then.
People usually refer to "Why #OpenSource missed the point of #FreeSoftware" essay by RMS, which is pretty long.
But the last two toots capture the essence in just two toots that is easy to understand for everyone.
@praveen I sometimes think of it as; Open Source is a software development practice while Free Software is a movement. It paraphrases RMS.
Extending this further to cover #federation.
With Signal: Linus happy (people send you patches), RMS happy (you can install on your server), but @contrapunctus not happy (your users can't talk to people on official server).
