GNU Public License

There are multiple operating systems out there available for a number of platforms, or systems, to run. The most popular of which, is Microsoft Windows. As we all know, Windows is not a free program and Microsoft is trying to instill a subscription fee to use Microsoft products. For years, the money hungry corporation has left many people searching for an alternative. In comes Linux. Linux is a UNIX based platform that uses the GNU General Public License. Linux is a very popular platform for a multitude of reasons, but above all else, it’s because it’s a free platform that has become what it is now due to GNU. The purpose of this paper is not, in fact, to speak about Linux, Windows, or any other operating system, but to talk about what the GNU public license is, and it’s role in information technology today. So what is the GNU public license? According to “GNU Operating System” (2007), “The GNU General Public License is a free, copyleft license for software and other kinds of works.” (Preamble). What does this mean? Well, a copyright license for software, or any other type of works, are designed to take away the freedom of developers to share or change the software or work licensed. For example, Microsoft has a license agreement that prevents you from doing any modifications to any of their software, and stipulates any fees or distributions with that software. The exact opposite is true for the GNU General Public License as its intentions is to guarantee your freedom to modify and share any and all versions of a program or software covered by the GNU. This, in turn, ensures the software, or works, will remain free for all of its users. The GNU Public Licenses are designed to enable individuals the right to freely distribute copies of the free software, with provided source code, that you can modify and charge for if you like. If you modify it, add your own source coding to enhance or individualize the program, you have the right to charge

References: GNU Operating System. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html Stalling, W. (2012). Operating Systems: Internals and Design Principles (7th ed.). Retrieved from https://newclassroom3.phoenix.edu/Classroom/#/contextid/OSIRIS:44214502/context/co/view/activityDetails/activity/987e268c-c478-4f85-ab08-ea8d45bb90a3/expanded/False/tab/Reading.