Re: Open source - Free software

[Alfred M. Szmidt]

   However, software where the binary is distributed for free ( eg the
   drivers for ATI and NVIDEA cards for Linux from those companies,
   the firmware for almost all wireless cards, ...) but source code is
   NOT supplied, and the license with the free software explicitly
   disallows reverse engineering, so it is certainly not open source.

Such software is not free software.  The license for free software
never prohibits reverse engineering, if it does, it is a non-free
license.  ATI's and Nvidious drivers are clearly not free software
since they disallow you from studying the drivers, and modifying
them. Free software is defined as follows (from
http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html, which is a useful
reading):

    * The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).

    * The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your
      needs (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a precondition
      for this.

    * The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor
      (freedom 2).

    * The freedom to improve the program, and release your
      improvements to the public, so that the whole community benefits
      (freedom 3). Access to the source code is a precondition for
      this.