Outline of free software explained

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to free software and the free software movement:

Free software  - software which can be run, studied, examined, modified, and redistributed freely (without any cost). This type of software, which was given its name in 1983, has also come to be known as "open-source software", "software libre", "FOSS", and "FLOSS". The term "Free" refers to it being unfettered, rather than being free of charge.

Large free software projects

Free software by type

Free and open-source software packages (by type)

Free software products

Operating system families

Open-source software development products

See main article: Open-source software development.

Free software movement

See main article: Free software movement.

Challenges

Free software licenses

See main article: Free software license.

Specific licenses

License types and standards

History of the free software movement

See main article: article and History of free software.

Events

Organizations

See main article: List of free and open-source software organizations.

Persons influential in the free software movement

Well known scholars

Other leading personalities

See also

External links