Open Source Software Certification Quiz

In order for software to be certified as open source, which of the following is not required?

• The license must not discriminate against people or groups of people.

• The license must not require that the software be distributed as part of a specific product.

• The license must require that changes be distributed under the same license.

• The program must come with source code, or the author must make it readily available on the Internet.

• The license must automatically apply to anybody who acquires the software.

Answer explanation

The requirement that changes be distributed under the same license is not necessary for open source certification. Open source licenses can allow for different licensing of modified versions.

Which is true of Linux distributions as a whole?

• They’re covered by the GPL or the BSD license, depending on the distribution.

• Sometimes they may not be copied because of the non-open source software they may contain.

• They may be copied only after software using the MIT license is removed.

• They all completely conform to the principles of the open source movement.

• They all qualify as free software as the FSF uses the term.

Answer explanation

The correct choice highlights that Linux distributions may include non-open source software, which can restrict copying. This is important as not all components of a distribution are necessarily open source.

Which of the following is a key part of the FSF’s philosophy?

• Developers should use the latest version of the FSF’s GPL.

• Users should have the right to modify free software and distribute it under a commercial license.

• Developers should write software only for free operating systems such as GNU/Linux.

• Users should engage in civil disobedience by copying proprietary software.

• Users must have the right to use software as they see fit.

Answer explanation

The FSF emphasizes that users must have the right to use software as they see fit, which aligns with the principles of freedom and control over software usage.

True or false: Copyright law governs the distribution of software in most countries.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

True. Copyright law protects the rights of software creators, governing how software can be distributed in most countries, ensuring that creators can control the use and distribution of their work.

Tags

CCSS.RI.1.6

CCSS.RI.1.7

CCSS.RI.K.7

CCSS.RL.1.7

CCSS.RL.K.7

True or false: The FSF’s free software definition and the OSI’s 10 principles of open source software both require that users have the ability to examine a program’s workings—that is, its source code.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

True. Both the FSF’s free software definition and the OSI’s principles emphasize that users must have access to the source code to examine and modify the software, ensuring transparency and freedom.

Tags

CCSS.RI.1.6

CCSS.RI.1.7

CCSS.RI.K.7

CCSS.RL.1.7

CCSS.RL.K.7

True or false: Because their hardware designs are proprietary, hardware vendors cannot release open source drivers for their products.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

False. Proprietary hardware designs do not prevent vendors from releasing open source drivers. In fact, some companies choose to do so to promote compatibility and community support, despite their proprietary designs.

A license created by the FSF and often used for libraries is the _________.

• LGPL

• GPL

• MIT

• Apache

Answer explanation

The LGPL (Lesser General Public License) is specifically designed for libraries, allowing them to be used in proprietary software while still ensuring that modifications to the library itself remain open source.

An organization devoted to promoting open source–like principles in fields such as video and audio recordings is the _________.

• Creative Commons

• Open Source Initiative

• Free Software Foundation

• Electronic Frontier Foundation

Answer explanation

Creative Commons is dedicated to promoting open source principles in creative works, including video and audio recordings, making it the correct choice for this question.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.5

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

The FSF's general principles are summarized by the term ________, which refers to using copyright laws for purposes that are in some ways contrary to copyright’s original intent.

• copyleft

• copyright

• free

• tradmark

• patent

Answer explanation

The term 'copyleft' refers to a licensing method that uses copyright laws to allow derivative works while ensuring the same freedoms are preserved, which contrasts with traditional copyright's intent of restricting use.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.5

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

Users can motivate programmers to work on open source projects by offering a(n) ________ to whomever completes the project first.

• bounty

• reward

• prize

• gift

Answer explanation

The term 'bounty' specifically refers to a reward offered for completing a task, especially in open source projects. While 'reward', 'prize', and 'gift' are related, 'bounty' is the most accurate term for this context.

Tags

CCSS.RI.1.4

CCSS.RI.2.4

CCSS.RI.3.4

CCSS.RI.K.4

CCSS.RL.3.4