The Freedomware Project

The goal of The Freedomware Project is simple: Liberate all computer users from the grasp of those who wish to control them for the rest of their lives.  Technology is a double edged sword.  When used for the common good, miraculous can occur.  When the exact opposite is the purpose, progress is stinted and people are even harmed.  Freedomware is software that allows the user to:

1. Run it without restrictions.
2. Make copies of it so long as recipients have the same rights as the individual who made said copies available.
   
3. Have access to the source code, thus allowing the potential to make changes.
4. Allow for the publishing of modified copies so long as the recipients have the same rights as the individual who made the modifications.

This may sound like the same ideals as the Free Software Foundation.  The Freedomware Project has many of the same goals as the FSF.  However, upon closer inspection there is a minor problem.  When someone sees the phrase, “free software,” they are more than likely going to think of the monetary cost as opposed to liberty.  The phrase, “open source” doesn’t solve the problem either.  Such a phrase only implies that the source code can be looked at.  Microsoft has source code that can be looked at, but the license does not allow for freedom.  While the Open Source Initiative does have altruistic goals in mind, emphasizing the advantages of making source code available is not enough, because other entities can make source code available and claim that they are “open source” when it really is a “source code trap,” which would of course go against the ideals of said organization.  Instead, there must be a term that immediately implies freedom.

That is why the term freedomware is the most appropriate.  It has the word “freedom” inside of it, and people are not as likely to confuse it with the term “freeware,” which is software that can be obtained without paying money for it.  “Free software” and most “open source” software can be defined as freedomware, because they allow the user the four rights listed above.  In order to help people fight for their rights, the following is necessary:

• Funding projects that are freedomware projects themselves and/or help promote freedomware itself.
• Donating equipment to projects that are freedomware projects themselves and/or help promote freedomware itself.
• Volunteer by writing documentation and sending feedback to said projects.
• Contacting news and media organizations to promote freedomware.
• Communicating with those in the positions of public service when the attempt is made to implement policies that would affect freedomware itself.

Are you interested in more information?  Want to become a part of The Freedomware Project?  If so, please send an e-mail to thomas@freedomwareproject.org.