Free Software Foundation - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation (FSF)

The Free Software Foundation (FSF), founded in 1985, is dedicated to promoting computer users' right to use, study, copy, modify, and redistribute computer programs. The FSF promotes the development and use of free (as in freedom) software ---particularly the GNU operating system(used widely today in its GNU/Linux variant)--- and free (as in freedom) documentation. The FSF also helps to spread awareness of the ethical and political issues of freedom in the use of software.

Many organizations distribute whatever free software happens to be available. In contrast, the Free Software Foundation concentrates on development of new free software---and on making that software into a coherent system which can eliminate the need to use proprietary software.

Besides working on software development, the FSF protects, preserves, and promotes free software. The FSF distributes copies of GNU software and manuals for a distribution fee, and accepts tax-deductible gifts to support GNU development. Most of the FSF's funds come from its distribution service. This is why we urge you to order CD-ROMs and manuals (but especially CD-ROMs) from the FSF when you can.

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Updated: $Date: 2005/05/05 19:37:09 $ $Author: novalis $