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The free software GNU operating system, which began development in 1984 is now used by millions of people worldwide as a replacement to both Microsoft Windows and Apple's macOS operating systems.
Because most software we buy or download from the web denies us these
rights, we can look at the reasons why: usually we don't actually buy
ownership of the software but instead, receive a license to use the
software, binding us with many fine-print rules about what we can and
cannot do.
We should be able to make copies of software and give them to our
friends, we should be able to figure out how programs work and change
them, we should be able to put copies of software on all the computers
in our home or office — these are all things that software
licenses are traditionally designed to prevent.
Enter the free software movement: groups of individuals in
collaboration over the Internet and in local groups, working together
for the rights of computer users worldwide, creating new software to
replace the bad licenses on your computer with community built
software that removes the restrictions put in place and creates new
and exciting ways to use computers for social good.
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You came through for free software!
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