Once the domain of programmers and tech-savvy hobbyists, open-source software has hit the mainstream. How exactly did computer users go from living in a world of purchased programs to a world where many of the most sought-after applications are free to use, free to copy, and free to modify? This video traces the open-source movement in detail, from its earliest days to the present. Richard Stallman, founder of the Free Software Foundation, is profiled, and open-source tools for education and business—Linux, Open Office, Firefox, and GIMP—are discussed. (20 minutes)
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