Hacker News Reader

Comment by autarch | Hacker News Reader

If we're talking about "free software" in the context of licensing the FSF's definition is the only one that matters.

Obviously there is free (no cost) software as well, at least in English where we have one word for both meanings. This can be easily disambiguated in a discussion by the "free as in speech, not free as in beer" phrase, or if people are familiar with the term, using "libre software" to clarify.

View on HN

Actually English does have a perfectly serviceable word, but for some reason no one is interested in calling at freedom software. yes it is grammatically awkward, but that’s a less worse problem than being semantically awkward, IMHO.

I like that. "Free software" will never stop causing misunderstandings. The first you come across "freedom software" you might google it, but the first time you see "free software" you will think it just means free ($0) software.

Unfamiliar terms should fail fast in peoples' minds, not be silently mistaken for familiar terms.

Problem with language is interpretation and use by the masses. IE see Decimate.

"Freedom" noun to me is almost interchangeable with "overtly American" noun.

While not the technical definition by proper english the connotations count.

"Freedom software" sounds like word salad to my American ear, so I'm not sure how you see that as serviceable. If you showed me the phrase and put a gun to my head to guess what it meant, I'd probably guess it was a jokey way of talking about software written in France.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com