No, they are not free, they are gratis alternatives.
“Free software” is one term, and it’s meaning was defined in 1986 by RMS. Non of these software existed that time.
The word “free” in our name does not refer to price; it refers to freedom. First, the freedom to copy a program and redistribute it to your neighbors, so that they can use it as well as you. Second,** the freedom to change a program, so that you can control it instead of it controlling you; for this, the source code must be made available to you.**
He speaks about free in “free software”. not a general meaning.
But the meme says “free software” and implies that the real “free software” alternatives (linux, gimp, blender and friends) are shitty, and they are used only because of their price. These are not “free software” alternatives, but gratis software alternatives, or freeware alternatives. that is my problem.
The general meanings were already applied to software before he shouted to the heavens that he owned the term. Any valid use of the word free is exactly as correct when applied to software.
What German word was used there? Are you suggesting gratis is German? Maybe it is, but it’s also English. And we didn’t even borrow it from German. It’s Latin.
Both of them are latin words so I expect they show up in similar forms in most European languages. Free is a Germanic origin word.
In Hungarian we use the word Gratis as well with Hungarian spelling: “Grátisz” even though Hungarian is not an Indo-European language. Libre is not used in common speech here.
I find it very confusing when german words are used to mean something different that their english counterparts.
So in english:
free ≠ gratis ≠ libre
fear ≠ Angst
car ≈ Auto (i heard it used for a car with a automatic transmission and also a few years ago as a term for a selfdriving car)
But also the other way around
In Swiss-German:
Bus ≠ Car
(First one being a trolleybus in a city, second one a bus that takes a schoolclass on a trip.)
I am aware that words like “gratis” or “auto” are not exclusive to german, I guess that gave me the downvotes.
No, they are not free, they are gratis alternatives.
“Free software” is one term, and it’s meaning was defined in 1986 by RMS. Non of these software existed that time.
You’re acting like he invented the word “free”.
He doesn’t get to hijack and redefine it, and his redefinition is not any kind of objective reality.
He speaks about free in “free software”. not a general meaning.
But the meme says “free software” and implies that the real “free software” alternatives (linux, gimp, blender and friends) are shitty, and they are used only because of their price. These are not “free software” alternatives, but gratis software alternatives, or freeware alternatives. that is my problem.
There’s no such thing.
The general meanings were already applied to software before he shouted to the heavens that he owned the term. Any valid use of the word free is exactly as correct when applied to software.
As a german speaking person: Shut up and stop using german translations of words as if it has a different meaning. It gives me Angst.
(Edit: explanation down in the comments, I am aware that “gratis” isn’t exclusively german)
What German word was used there? Are you suggesting gratis is German? Maybe it is, but it’s also English. And we didn’t even borrow it from German. It’s Latin.
As a spanish/romance speaking person: ahahahah LOL!
Where do you thing “gratis” and “libre” come from?
Ich kann nicht sprachen deutch sehr gut. wdym, what is the original german meaning?
gratis means free, but only in the sense that it dosen‘t cost money. So it seems like a valid use for the word.
Is there an english equivalent?
Gratis and libre used usually to differenciate the terms: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gratis_versus_libre
Both of them are latin words so I expect they show up in similar forms in most European languages. Free is a Germanic origin word.
In Hungarian we use the word Gratis as well with Hungarian spelling: “Grátisz” even though Hungarian is not an Indo-European language. Libre is not used in common speech here.
I don’t get what @Freeman@lemmings.world wanted to say
I find it very confusing when german words are used to mean something different that their english counterparts.
So in english: free ≠ gratis ≠ libre fear ≠ Angst car ≈ Auto (i heard it used for a car with a automatic transmission and also a few years ago as a term for a selfdriving car)
But also the other way around In Swiss-German: Bus ≠ Car (First one being a trolleybus in a city, second one a bus that takes a schoolclass on a trip.)
I am aware that words like “gratis” or “auto” are not exclusive to german, I guess that gave me the downvotes.
No, you got downvoted because you were insulting and incorrect.
Gratuitous can be used to mean the same thing, but English speakers also use gratis
Yes: “gratis”.
English is literally about mugging other languages in a backalley for words (and boning them for grammar). It’s the ISO standard procedure.