100% Free Linux Distributions: To be or not to be? This is the dilemma!
Since the beginning of «GNU» y «Linux», the maxim to be upheld by its developers, members, users and supporters, has always been the provide a Software Ecosystem as a product, an alternative, a viable solution, for all those men and societies that wish to see their freedom to use, share, modify or distribute the same, many times from the perspective of gratuityAlthough the latter, that is, free, is not something that is indivisibly linked to the principle of freedom.
In addition to seeing your guaranteed security and privacy before proprietary and closed software products, of companies and governments that often do not enjoy good credibility or good intentions. That is why, from the beginning until today, there are Distributions faithful to the principle of being 100% free.
Reasons why, «GNU/Linux» has triumphed and has been consolidated little by little within the hearts and reasons of many men and societies, to the point that now at the business, corporate and organizational level, both in the public and private spheres, and not because of the smallness but because the great thing, is taking every day an increasing relevance and an increasing use.
But, many times at a cost that usually implies that, to be used, it is filled or refilled with products or elements of proprietary and closed software, which tend to make more effective and efficient «GNU/Linux», for the benefit of companies and governments, but which in turn could subtract «libertad, seguridad y privacidad» to others (employees, users, men and companies). And so: that's the dilemma!«¿Ser o no ser 100% libres?»
Panorama
My position
First, I want to make it clear that my very personal position on this is:
My full support and desire for primacy to the effort made by all those developers, groups and communities, who take the time and effort, almost always altruistically (without payment), on behalf of the noble and important values contained in the 4 freedoms of Free Software, to provide many Free Operating Systems, based or not on the Linux Kernel, with or without GNU programs, that comply with these principles mentioned above.
Although also, I recognize and value in its proper dimension, to:
All those developers, groups and communities mainly, such as public and private organizations, that beyond their possible or probable double intentions, cooperate or try to facilitate the implementation and use of both Distributions and Free and Open Software Programs, through the contribution of drivers, firmware, code fragments, platforms, services or applications, closed or open, free or proprietary, free or paid, in order to achieve the transition and future and massive adoption of Free and Open Software.
My opinion
By this I mean that I personally did not try to be a A Purist, an Extremist or a «Talibán del Software Libre», as many tend to call those who hardly see something that is not «100% Libre», they bring out their conspiracy theories or their fears (irrational or not) to surface, attacking, discrediting and / or insulting others individually or projects in general.
Sure, they may have their bases for this, but you have to know how to recognize the inevitability of transience, in terms of merger or merger. harmonic coexistence of a certain minority portion of Private and Closed Software within Free and Open Software, for a better and more viable migration to a world «100% Libre».
He believed that there is room for everyone, that is, the one or those who want to develop, use or promote «Distribuciones 100% Libres», and the one or those who want to develop, use or promote mixed solutions that meet their needs, without requiring a «Guerra Santa» technological or ideological, or minimal things such as insults or vulgarities against each other.
The actual situation
We must bear in mind that at present the world of «Software Libre» and the «Código Abierto»is very immersed in the public and private organizations, giving rise to a large number of them requiring their benefits to operate correctly. And that, to achieve this objective, they often resort to internal or external developments, private or closed, to complement or solve what the «Software Libre» and the «Código Abierto» not resolved yet.
Developments and contributions that are often available to all users and members of the Communities, by means of repositories that we know as «Not Free (Non-free). Or through the official web pages of its creators or sponsors. Contributions that can often be Free and / or Open, and not partially or totally free, that is, they usually offer a free version of a software with reduced features or functionalities and another paid version, but complete.
Important data
Point that leaves us with a current panorama where the industry «Software Libre» and the «Código Abierto», Despite still being mostly free and community-based, it also represents a large part of the formal industry when it comes to revenue. Since, according to expert estimates for this year 2019 , the same report is expected until 17.000 million, until almost 33.000 million dollars for him 2022 year.
And while, a Red Hat survey states that:
68% of organizations have increased their use of open source and 59% intend to continue this growth.
Many experts claim that the world currently lives in the golden age of «Software Libre» and the «Código Abierto», as:
43% of large organizations already use open source in the integration of their applications and 42% say that open source solutions are part of their digital transformation strategy.
Conclusion
As we can see, el «Software Libre» and the «Código Abierto» grows and strengthens, also with the direct or indirect support of the Public and private organizations, and their free and / or proprietary, closed and / or open, free contributions and / or payments to it.
What does not prevent or deteriorate, that at an individual or collective level and to the liking of each one, can continue to support, promote, or bet on pure developments, that is, the «Distribuciones 100% Libres», of which there are many and they are also growing in number and quality.
Yes that's your intention beyond the pertinent criticism or not, by the other vision that runs in parallel, we invite you to explore the Official list of 100% Free Distros of the Free Software Foundation (FSF) based on GNU, a unofficial list of 100% Free Distros that don't use GNU (validate its content and validity) and / or read our previous publication related to the subject, called: 100% free Linux distributions.
For the rest, leave us your comment on the subject so that we all know and discuss them in Community.