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Free Software / Open Source Software (F/ OSS)

The term "Free Software / Open Source Software" (F/ OSS) includes the Free Software (FS) and Open Source Software (OSS). Both terms describe software with similar growth features and distribution patterns which grants users the right to study, modify and improve its design. This is achieved through free availability of the source code. The main difference however between the two terms mentioned is that the term Free Software focuses on freedoms granted to the users through the use of licensing, while open source software emphasizes the technical aspect of availability of source code as well as the possibility for collaborative development and growth. In Greece, the non profit organization for the Greek Free / Open Source Software Society (GFOSS) is a non-profit organisation, which was founded in 2008 by 25 Universities, Technological Education Institutes, Research Centres and the Greek Research and Technology Network (GRNET). The National Documentation Center (EKT) is one of the participating institutions.