Forum: Wordfast support
Topic: Can I use a "sister" software?
Poster: Mario Chavez
Post title: Free software, not open source software
[quote]Mario Chavez wrote:
I've never heard of the expression ″sister software.″ Anyone has any idea of its origin?
First, working as a professional, one has to have the right tools, just not free software. If perchance your clients learn that you are a translator who uses free software to do their translations, they might feel less inclined to give you work at sensible rates. In other words, why pay a translator $0.10/word (example) if this translator is using free software? After all, even MS Office 2007 cost money.
Another problem with free software is that its shelf-life is far shorter than paid software, and it doesn't always have reliable tech support, patches, security fixes and the like.
[/quote]
3) Mario, I don't want to change the subject of this thread, but what's the problem with working with free/libre software applications? 2 years ago, I didn't know how to differentiate it:
"Free software” means software that respects users' freedom and community. Roughly, it means that the users have the freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software. Thus, “free software” is a matter of liberty, not price. To understand the concept, you should think of “free” as in “free speech,” not as in “free beer”. We sometimes call it “libre software,” borrowing the French or Spanish word for “free” as in freedom, to show we do not mean the software is gratis." ( [url removed] )
4) I suggest everyone to read this article [url removed] (from 2014). It talks about the growth of OmegaT (a free/libre software, not a "free beer" software).
[/quote]
Hi, and allow me to clarify: there is a difference between free (no cost) software and open source (free to distribute) software. A browser is the former, Linux distros are an example of the latter.
There are some cool open-source packages such as OpenOffice, a substitute for the pricey MS Office suite. Unlike free software, OpenOffice has the support of its communities and its developers. For graphic designers, Linux (or Ubuntu, etc.) offers the possibility to use a substitute suite for the pricey Adobe Creative Suite.
So, free software = software gratis/open source software = software libre
Cheers.
Mario
Topic: Can I use a "sister" software?
Poster: Mario Chavez
Post title: Free software, not open source software
[quote]Mario Chavez wrote:
I've never heard of the expression ″sister software.″ Anyone has any idea of its origin?
First, working as a professional, one has to have the right tools, just not free software. If perchance your clients learn that you are a translator who uses free software to do their translations, they might feel less inclined to give you work at sensible rates. In other words, why pay a translator $0.10/word (example) if this translator is using free software? After all, even MS Office 2007 cost money.
Another problem with free software is that its shelf-life is far shorter than paid software, and it doesn't always have reliable tech support, patches, security fixes and the like.
[/quote]
3) Mario, I don't want to change the subject of this thread, but what's the problem with working with free/libre software applications? 2 years ago, I didn't know how to differentiate it:
"Free software” means software that respects users' freedom and community. Roughly, it means that the users have the freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software. Thus, “free software” is a matter of liberty, not price. To understand the concept, you should think of “free” as in “free speech,” not as in “free beer”. We sometimes call it “libre software,” borrowing the French or Spanish word for “free” as in freedom, to show we do not mean the software is gratis." ( [url removed] )
4) I suggest everyone to read this article [url removed] (from 2014). It talks about the growth of OmegaT (a free/libre software, not a "free beer" software).
[/quote]
Hi, and allow me to clarify: there is a difference between free (no cost) software and open source (free to distribute) software. A browser is the former, Linux distros are an example of the latter.
There are some cool open-source packages such as OpenOffice, a substitute for the pricey MS Office suite. Unlike free software, OpenOffice has the support of its communities and its developers. For graphic designers, Linux (or Ubuntu, etc.) offers the possibility to use a substitute suite for the pricey Adobe Creative Suite.
So, free software = software gratis/open source software = software libre
Cheers.
Mario