Open-source community debate Topic 3: What is the mission?

Article title: open-source community debate Topic 3: What is the mission ?. Linux is a technology channel of the IT lab in China. Includes basic categories such as desktop applications, Linux system management, kernel research, embedded systems, and open source.

This article is part 1 of the open source community debate topic series. In the first part, we introduced the debate on the development of the Linux kernel. in the second part, we introduced the open-source community's views on the standardization process; in the last part, we will take a closer look at people's views on the mission of free and open source software (FOSS.

Linux.chinaitlab.com/kernel/778950.html "target = _ blank>One of the arguments in the open-source community: kernel truth

Linux.chinaitlab.com/info/780526.html "target = _ blank>Debate in open-source communities II: a standard organization that leads to a different path

There is a passion for debate that brings people together in a free and open source community. For this reason, people have different opinions on the mission of freedom and open source software.

For some people, FOSS only means that free software can be used for free without spending money; while others think that open source code is more important; some others (represented by Richard Stallman, the GNU founder) believe that the first letter of FOSS "F" is the mission of free and open-source software, that is, freedom should go beyond technology, politics, and region.

Despite their different points of view, there is no need to doubt that, while defending their respective points of view, free and open-source software is quietly moving forward. No matter what the mission of the FOSS may be, it is actually meeting the diverse needs of people.

FOSS is moving toward success, not only because more and more people are using it. So is it fulfilling its mission? It should be noted that the answer to this question depends on your views on its mission.

　　Tolerance and exception are the biggest features of the FOSS.

Linus Torvalds, founder of the Linux kernel, said, "I think there is more than one mission ."

Towoz explained, "In fact, the reason why I like open source is that it allows people to complete different tasks and consider problems from different perspectives, the final result is not necessarily the same as the initial assumption of the incumbent, but it has been evolving in a better direction."

Linux itself is such an example. trowz explains, "When I first created Linux, I had no ambitious goals, just like the current kernel, today, all development motivation comes from the outside, from people who have different needs and who are working hard for them."

Towoz compared open source to "a more growth development model", he said, "For me, it is very similar to 'life'. who knows what the highest significance of life is? I don't know, but I don't think it's important to win anything else. However, we will continue to work hard to share our knowledge and gains and better change our environment ."

The same is true for open-source systems. "Open-source systems share similar things with life, 'Improve your environment', and 'share your knowledge. '"

　　FOSS is a kind of 'Love pass'

Elbert Hanner, co-author of the book "proficient in vi and Vim", said it is difficult to have a consistent answer to the mission question. "10 people may have 10 different answers, however, the central meaning of these answers can generally be traced back to Richard Stoman's point of view."

According to Hanner, in general people's understanding of FOSS is that developing software and opening its source code to the outside for free. "This is a kind of 'Love pass'. if you use and modify the free software, if you publish it as a product, you must also publish your own source code."

Some people think that support and services can bring about income, but some people support "free services or support ".

Hanner said that free software has been well developed. We now have a free and high-quality Linux, which is a miracle. "FOSS has been successful in many ways, but I'm not sure whether it can survive in a market or economic environment ."

"I paid off for free software," he added. "But I also need to make a living. for some of my own application tools, I have to decide whether to publish them for free, I also want to sell some of them to earn the income needed for my life."

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