Stéphane BortzmeyerJan 3, 2019
@sir And don't say FOSS when "free software" works perfectly (except for peoploe who are scared of freedom).
Show threadirl
@bortzmeyer What is wrong with FOSS?
Jan 3, 2019 at 9:48amWeb
Show threadStéphane BortzmeyerJan 3, 2019
@irl What is wrong with free software? (Most people dislike acronyms.)
Show threadirlJan 3, 2019
@bortzmeyer I feel FOSS better represents the whole concept. Free software isn't necessarily open source. I think acronyms definitely have their place. If I had to spell out transmission control protocol/internet protocol every time I said it I would just never talk about it. Same for datagram packetisiation layer path maxiumum transmission unit discovery (DPLPMTUD).
Show threadStéphane BortzmeyerJan 3, 2019
@irl "Free software isn't necessarily open source" A concrete example? The "official" definitions are very similar.
Show threadirlJan 3, 2019
@bortzmeyer WinRAR is available for free and it is software.
Show threadStéphane BortzmeyerJan 3, 2019
@irl Hold on, I assume you know that "free" in "free software" refers to freedom, not to price?
Show threadirlJan 3, 2019
@bortzmeyer Without the context given from the FOSS acronym, I don't automatically get that it is open source from the statement that it is "free". I am a native speaker.
Show threadStéphane BortzmeyerJan 3, 2019
@irl You'll never find perfect words (most people in the industry believe that "open source" means you have access to the source code, period).
Show threadirlJan 3, 2019
@bortzmeyer I find FOSS usually encapsulates the message well enough for most people I speak to. Sometimes I have to explain the acronym but that's OK. It gives the oppertunity to explain the nuances and subtleties for software licensing. If open source means only access to those in industry, that is another argument for using FOSS. While it is an acronym it is more specific and leaves less room for ambiguity. Of course if industry overloads the acronym to mean something else there is trouble.