GNU, GPL, Open Source????

[yongbeng]

Hi everybody...although I know linux..but i only know it as a system...a very powerful one...BUT....I don't know what's the thingy about GPL, GNU and open source and free licensing...
For example...let say I fix PC for some of my friends...and they want maybe linux...so let say I installed redhat for them...do I have to buy the actual redhat software???or I can use the one that comes with the one I got from linux for dummies book..???

and also...redhat has this embedded redhat....let say i embedded red hat onto my customize system....can I distribute it freely???I'm really confuse here...please help...

[yongbeng]

hi..everyone...I understand that the question that I posted may looks very simple...but I really do need some direction here....so...waiting for you guys' guidance!!thanks!!

[stumbles]

Originally posted by yongbeng
hi..everyone...I understand that the question that I posted may looks very simple...but I really do need some direction here....so...waiting for you guys' guidance!!thanks!!

This should answer your questions;

http://www.opensource.org/licenses/gpl-license.php


http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html

[sharth]

short answer, you can install most of the stuff on that red hat cd on any number of computers. if it includes some apps such as tux racer (commercial version, not free), or star office, then those can not be distributed, but the rest can. (I don't believe that red hat has those porblems though)

[CMonster]

RTFGPL

Well really -for more information read the GPL and remember to always read each license that comes along with software packages and Linux distributions, because not all Linux realted stuff is purely GPL of course.

[sharth]

For an example of a illegal to give to your friends distro.... Mandrake Gaming Edition. You could install it on your friends computer, but you couldn't install the Sims or winex on it.(legally atleast, your computer won't blow up if you do :rolleyes: )