Free software is based on an ideology that everyone can use, share, modify, study and improve software. It’s based on the belief that we should share our knowledge with each other and everyone should be able to contribute. If you use proprietary software you are denied these freedoms, and you will be punished with a fine or jail time if you break the license agreement. You can even be punished if you copy the program to another computer in your own home.
The reason why free software is important to all computer users is that everyone should have the opportunity to live in a free society where we can help each other and contribute to improve the life quality of others. Everyone should have the chance to be able to do what they want with what possess, without being restricted by someone who doesn’t believe in the benefits of collaborates. If the possibility to improve the software is limited to the employers of a corporation, you will miss out of other contributors that may have something better to add. Why should you pay a lot of money for software with rules and limits, when you can freely use software any way you want without paying a fortune? It’s just a basic question about the liberties in life, and that you should be aware of all the available options before you settle down with something just because it’s more famous.
Resources:
Lee, M 2011, What is free software and why is it so important for society?, Free Software Foundation, viewed 16 September 2011, <http://www.fsf.org/about/what-is-free-software>
GNU, The Free Software Definition 2011, viewed 16 September 2011, <http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html>
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