Stop listening to the
#noise and
#nonsense#Bitcoin is open source math! ⚡️
Open source refers to software (or sometimes other works like hardware designs, data, etc.) where the source code is made publicly available under specific licensing terms that allow anyone to view, use, modify, and distribute it (including commercially), typically without royalty fees or heavy restrictions.
The authoritative standard comes from the Open Source Initiative (OSI), which maintains The Open Source Definition (OSD).
According to the OSD, for software to qualify as truly open source, its license must satisfy these core criteria (paraphrased directly from the definition):
1 Free Redistribution — The license must not prevent anyone from selling or giving away the software (even as part of a larger collection of programs) and must not demand royalties or fees for such distribution.
2 Source Code — The program must include source code and allow distribution in both source and compiled forms. If only compiled form is distributed, there must be a clear, low-cost (preferably free via download) way to get the source code.
3 Derived Works — The license must allow modifications and derived works to be distributed under the same license terms as the original.
4 Integrity of the Author’s Source Code — Modifications may be restricted only in ways that preserve the original author’s source code integrity (e.g., requiring modified versions to carry a different name or version number).
5 No Discrimination Against Persons or Groups — No person or group can be excluded from using or distributing the software.
6 No Discrimination Against Fields of Endeavor — No restrictions based on what the software will be used for (e.g., commercial use, military, etc.).
7 Distribution of License — The rights attached to the program must apply to everyone it’s redistributed to without needing a separate license.
8 License Must Not Be Specific to a Product — Rights can’t be tied only to the original distribution; they must follow the software even if redistributed separately.
9 License Must Not Restrict Other Software — The license can’t impose restrictions on other software distributed alongside it.
10 License Must Be Technology-Neutral — No restrictions based on specific technology or interface.
These rules ensure the code remains freely accessible and modifiable in perpetuity, promoting collaboration over centralized control.
Note that “open source” focuses on practical benefits like transparency, rapid development, and commercial viability, while “free software” (as defined by the Free Software Foundation) places stronger emphasis on ethical freedoms — the user’s right to run, study, share, and improve the software as a matter of liberty (often summarized as the four essential freedoms). In practice, the sets of approved licenses overlap heavily, and many people use the terms interchangeably today. 😎
#opensourcesoftware #nostr #GrowNostr
