This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about Free Open Source Software Month (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. Free Open Source Software Month is celebrated on February 1st.
Among the information you’ll find below: the history of Free Open Source Software Month, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as interesting facts you should know about Free Open Source Software Month.
📅 What day is Free Open Source Software Month 2024?
In 2024, Free Open Source Software Month is on Wednesday, February 1st. It is the 1st Wednesday in February; in 2024, it is Thursday. There are until the next observance. You also can discover all fascinating details and facts about February 1, 2023, that you might not be aware of.
Every February, we celebrate Free Open Source Software (FOSS) to recognize and appreciate programs that are free and open-source. This means that users have the freedom to use the software, and the source code is made available for users to modify and improve it. FOSS aims to protect the rights and privacy of software users while giving them greater control over their devices. While free software and open source software licenses have similarities, their supporters often have different perspectives. FOSS serves as a common ground that brings together these ideas.
📜 Free Open Source Software Month History
In 1983, Richard Stallman started the G.N.U. project to establish a precedent for open-source software. A year later, the GNU/Linux operating system was released, and the Free Software Foundation (F.S.F.) was formed.
In 1997, Eric Raymond wrote a book called “The Cathedral and the Bazaar,” which discussed hacker culture and the concept of free software. This book gained attention in 1998 and influenced Netscape Communications to release their product as free software, now known as Mozilla, Firefox, and Thunderbird. This progress led Raymond and a team to adapt the F.S.F.’s free software for commercial use, resulting in the renaming of the movement to “open source.”
Despite initial concerns from software manufacturers, the success of free and open source software (FOSS) systems like Linux and BSD, and organizations like Red Hat, has caused a shift in the software industry’s perception. Businesses now view FOSS as a viable option, altering their approach to incorporating FOSS into their operations.
✅ Free Open Source Software Month Facts
🔖 A-2 was the first open-source software
While Linux is commonly regarded as the pioneer of open-source software, it is important to note that the A-2 was actually the first.
🔖 Linux is the world’s best FOSS
Linux is highly regarded and widely desired as the most valuable open-source software globally.
🔖 Called ‘open source’ in 1998
Free and open-source software has been in existence for a long time, but it was mostly known as “free software” until 1998 when the term “open source” was introduced.
👍 Why Is Free Open Source Software Month Important
Free and open-source software, as the name implies, is free of charge. Its source code is also easily accessible to anybody who desires to utilize it.
Because of the freedom of free and open-source software, users can draw inspiration from previously created works and easily alter or improve their functionality. This is fantastic!
The internet as we know it now, with all of its infinite potential and uses, is open-source. We can accomplish so much on the internet since it is free and has open-source code.
🙂 How To Observe Free Open Source Software Month
⚡ Create your own open-source project
⚡ Talk about it on social media
Social networking is a versatile tool that allows you to accomplish a wide range of tasks. It enables you to connect with a vast audience and express your thoughts and opinions. For instance, if you are interested in open source, you can engage in online discussions by using hashtags like #FOSSFeb to increase the visibility of your posts.
⚡ Attend an open-source event
You read that correctly. You may put yourself in Steve Jobs’ shoes and be creative in honor of Free and Open Source Software Month. It is now much easier to start your own projects on sites such as GitHub.
📅 When is Free Open Source Software Month?
| YEAR | DATE | DAY |
| 2024 | February 1 | Thursday |
| 2025 | February 1 | Saturday |
| 2026 | February 1 | Sunday |
| 2027 | February 1 | Monday |
| 2028 | February 1 | Tuesday |
See all 🔗 February holidays, including 🔗 Special Interest and other 🔗 Technology holidays.
We will continue to update this page with new information and fun facts about Free Open Source Software Month. So be sure to check back soon.