Article from NGO-Online.de (German)

Excerpts from this article:

"Free software designates computer programs, which offer four essential liberties: The liberty of use for any purpose, the liberty of analyzing and modification, the liberty of distribution, and the liberty of distribution of changes. These liberties can be realized either free of charge or commercially."

"Special modifications or exceptions for exotic languages and other cultures are not often worthwhile for large software companies [to commercialize]. 'Free Software continues to offer other possibilities here and essential opportunities for developing countries in particular, which by this victory for freedom are put into the position of being able to further develop their societies and economies', said [president of the Free software Foundation Europe George] Greve.

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This article shows that FLOSS is on the radar at the UN, that it is being protected and encouraged, and that it is really becoming mainstream. These are all good things!

Also this article shows that some dedicated people in almost every country are recognizing the value of FLOSS and are doing something about it. This involves both publicity and fighting for the principles which are at stake. We thank each of these people and acknowledge the value of the service which they are performing, and hope that someday the true value of their efforts will be generally recognized.

Willy Smith, reporting from Costa Rica