"Free learning resources, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not price. It's about bringing the principles of free software to general knowledge and educational materials. Knowledge should be usable and accessible to all without restrictions and should not be treated as property."
Free Software Foundation
Mirrors of Free Software and Free Books.
All mirrors are updated nightly.
GNU Software (Mirror)
- https://mirrors.sarata.com/gnu/ (Arizona, USA)
- rsync://mirrors.sarata.com/gnu/ (Arizona, USA)
GNU Alpha Releases (Mirror)
- https://mirrors.sarata.com/gnu-alpha/ (Arizona, USA)
- rsync://mirrors.sarata.com/gnu-alpha/ (Arizona, USA)
Non-GNU Software (Mirror)
- https://mirrors.sarata.com/non-gnu/ (Arizona, USA)
- rsync://mirrors.sarata.com/non-gnu/ (Arizona, USA)
"As our society grows more dependent on computers, the software we run is of critical importance to securing the future of a free society. Free software is about having control over the technology we use in our homes, schools and businesses, where computers work for our individual and communal benefit" Free Software Foundation
Free software is software that grants everyone permission to use, study, copy, modify and/or distribute the software.
Free and open source software are provided at zero cost but the word "free" does not refer to the cost of the software. "Free" refers to the fact that everyone has freedom to use the software for their benefit. These freedoms (use, study, copy, modify, distribute) are granted to everyone and are protected through an enforceable legal license.
A Free Software license ensures that the public has commercial and creative rights to that software. The commercial and creative rights include the rights to reproduce, modify and sell the software. Typically, the only restrictions for free software licenses have the goal of ensuring that neither the software nor its derivatives become non-free. This means that non-free software cannot include free software and that no one has the right to restrict the freedoms granted by the free software licenses. There are many different free software licenses but all "free software licenses" provide and protect the same rights.
The Free Software Foundation is a non-profit organization that promotes the development of free software and documentation. Their mission is to defend the rights of all free software users. Their view is that software must be free to ensure society does not lose control over its computing.
The 4 basic freedoms are defined as follows:
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.
Other GNU Mirrors and Resources
- GNU Mirror Multiplexor
- GNU Mirror List
- GNU Mirror Status
- All GNU Mirror Status
- Savannah NonGnu Mirror Status