How does free software differ from open source?
The difference between the movements is not concrete. The ‘open’ collaboration model used for software development is the same for both free software and open source. The only pronounced distinction is ideological. ‘Free software’ software development is motivated by an altruistic desire to improve society at large; society comes first and individual commercial gain is a distant second (to put it mildly). ‘Open source’ development is motivated by a belief that the development model is superior to proprietary models. The open source movement is an offshoot of the free software movement. It puts a more pragmatic, less dogmatic face on the development model, making it more palatable to mainstream developers. Nevertheless, much of the present success of the ‘open source’ movement is due to the Free Software Foundation doggedly championing the framework.
