Difference between revisions of "Essential Free and Open Source Software"

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(Meaning of Free and Open Source: listing meaning of Free Software and Open Source)
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=Meaning of Free and Open Source=
 
=Meaning of Free and Open Source=
Free and Open Source Software are tools that are available to all people, allowing us to ''share'' the tools, ''modify'' the tools, and generally ''learn how the tools work''. These are essential freedoms; not simply in terms of cost, but ''liberty''.
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Free and Open Source Software are tools that are available to all people, regardless of income, political affiliation, location, etc.. Free Software and Open Source Software allow us the freedoms to  
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* ''access'' the tools for any reason (commercial, political, creative, etc.)
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* ''share'' the tools with a wider community,
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* ''modify'' the tools to meet our specific needs, and  
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* ''study'' or view the sourcecode to learn how the tools work.  
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These are essential freedoms; not simply in terms of cost, but ''liberty''.
  
 
Please review [[http://freedomdefined.org/Definition|Freedom Defined]] for more information.
 
Please review [[http://freedomdefined.org/Definition|Freedom Defined]] for more information.

Revision as of 14:19, 26 January 2013

Meaning of Free and Open Source

Free and Open Source Software are tools that are available to all people, regardless of income, political affiliation, location, etc.. Free Software and Open Source Software allow us the freedoms to

  • access the tools for any reason (commercial, political, creative, etc.)
  • share the tools with a wider community,
  • modify the tools to meet our specific needs, and
  • study or view the sourcecode to learn how the tools work.

These are essential freedoms; not simply in terms of cost, but liberty.

Please review [Defined] for more information.

Design

  • Inkscape - vector illustration, design, layout, web development. Using the SVG standard.
  • Scribus - page layout, design, publishing.
  • GIMP - image manipulation, design, web development, and layered graphics.

Animation and Simulation

  • Blender 3D - Game design, physics simulation, animation, 3D modeling, architecture, video editing, compositing, etc..

Statistics and Data Visualization

Mathematics

Creative Coding

Geospatial

  • Quantum GIS - integrated toolkit for geospatial analysis, data management, etc.
  • SAGA GIS - collection of geospatial tools featuring a simple UI.
  • GRASS GIS - data management, analysis, image processing, modeling.
  • SEXTANTE GIS - GIS graphical modeling tool and collection of geospatial libraries.

NOTE: Quantum GIS has plugins to integrate GRASS, SAGA, and SEXTANTE into a unified interface!