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<title>The advantages of free software
- GNU Project - Free Software Foundation</title>
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<h2>The advantages of free software</h2>
<address class="byline">by Richard Stallman</address>
<div class="introduction">
<p><em>People outside the free software movement frequently ask about
the practical advantages of free software. It is a curious question.</em></p>
</div>
<p>Nonfree software is bad because it denies your freedom. Thus, asking
about the practical advantages of free software is like asking about
the practical advantages of not being handcuffed. Indeed, it has
advantages:</p>
<ul>
<li>You can wear an ordinary shirt.</li>
<li>You can get through metal detectors without triggering them.</li>
<li>You can keep a hand on the steering wheel while you shift gears.</li>
<li>You can pitch a baseball.</li>
<li>You can carry a backpack.</li>
</ul>
<p>We could find more, but do you need these advantages to
convince you to reject handcuffs? Probably not, because you
understand that your freedom is what's at stake.</p>
<p>Once you realize that that's what's at stake with nonfree software,
you won't need to ask what practical advantages free software has.</p>
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<p>Copyright © 2010, 2021 Richard Stallman</p>
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