Our work on eGroupware is driven by the philosophy to create the best groupware software available by using free and open sources.
Free software
For eGroupWare, the "free" in "free software" is used primarily in reference to freedom and not to price - although we are committed to not charging for eGroupWare. The most important thing about eGroupWare is not that it is available free of charge, but that it confers rights of software freedom on the people who install and use it. It is those freedoms that enable the eGroupware community to grow, sharing its collective experience and expertise to improve eGroupware and make it suitable for use in new countries and new industries.
The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs.
The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help others.
The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements to the public, so that everyone benefits.
Free software has been a coherent social movement for more than two decades. This movement has produced millions of lines of code, documentation, and a vibrant community of which eGroupware is proud to be a part.
Open source
Open source is a term coined in 1998 to remove the ambiguity in the English word "free". The Open Source Initiative described open source software in the Open Source Definition. Open source continues to enjoy growing success and wide recognition.
eGroupWare is happy to call itself open source. While some refer to free and open source as competing movements with different ends, we do not see free and open source software as either distinct or incompatible. eGroupWare proudly includes members who identify with both the free software and open source camps and many who identify with both.
