FreeNix!
From Hackstop
FreeNix refers collectively to free (cost-optional), 'UNIX®-like' computer operating systems (o/s), that are either UNIX-related (*BSD) or UNIX clones (GNU-Not-Unix/LINUX® - just as PCs and DOS were IBM clones): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freenix
FreeNix is a useful term for unified advocacy of - and support for - BSD, GNU and LINUX® equally. It is based on their main (non-proprietary) difference from UNIX®, which was similarly open-source, but oppositely became a proprietary product. FreeNix! is computer education revealing the o/s picture beyond brand marketing, in the (Not-)'Unix-like' field.
Altogether, UNIX®, UNIX-like, and FreeNix o/s are referred to as *nix, *ix, or just plain Nix - i.e. something different though explicitly referenced to UNIX®. The free licensing option (freedom to distribute without charge) is what distinguishes FreeNix from UNIX-like brands. 'UNIX-like' is a clear technical specification and, further, marks an economic divide where computer science has met the ICT market. As UNIX-like cannot refer to the historic, pre-proprietary (BSD-)UNIX - because this diverged from UNIX® - there is need for another, economic UNIX-unlike category: FreeNix.
The term 'Free' faces ongoing attack within the UNIX-like world, undermining FreeNix. Market capitalism pressures constantly for profitable commoditisation of new asset fields, like public software. There are plenty articulating that pressure since 1998, with the 'Open Source' rebranding of free software to pay programmer salaries. 'Open' does not mean especially open about the source of GPL distribution means, whereas GNU licensing has always meant open-source. There is a bitter, undeclared civil war within *nix along these lines.
Resolution derives from the early statements of Richard Stallman and Linus Torvalds, that the reason they created their common work was in order to have the free use of a UNIX-(cost un)like operating system, in the BSD tradition. It is time to unite and secure that freedom in perpetuity, by actively enabling a wide public participatory stake in it.
Democratise software freedom: this is the role of FreeNix!
More detail: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_software; a FreeNix Operating System Differential [1] (http://www.infohelp.co.nz/freenix1.html)
FOSS not FLOSS
Many are the attempts to privatise free open-source software. Programmers probably see this as a simple route to raising the commodity value of their code output, quite naturally. But Free Software is a real, constructive legacy.
The term 'Free/Libre' adds meme-force to the privatisation process, subversively. Why? - Because plain 'Free' definition includes freedom of choice: to distribute software either Free/Libre (unencumbered source code) or Free/Gratis (sans cash value), or both. 'Free/Libre' represents a campaign to strip out the second method of Free distribution, so central to User Group cohesion and *nix heritage. It is a concession free*nix adherents risk much by adopting.
'Free/Libre' does not need to be stated when referring to all of Free, Open-Source Software (FOSS). It is implicit in the 'Free as in freedom'. 'Free/Libre' distinction aims at reducing that freedom. Apart from that, FLOSSing already conveys a different, specific meaning.
