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“Free software” means software that respects users' freedom and community. Roughly, the users have the freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software. With these freedoms, the users (both individually and collectively) control the program and what it does for them. When users don't control the program, the program controls the users. The developer controls the program, and through it controls the users. This nonfree or “proprietary” program is therefore an instrument of unjust power. Thus, “free software” is a matter of liberty, not price. To understand the concept, you should think of “free” as in “free speech,” not as in “free beer”. A program is free software if the program's users have the four essential freedoms: The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0). The freedom to study how the program works, and change it so it does your computing as you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a precondition for this. The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor (freedom 2). The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions to others (freedom 3). By doing this you can give the whole community a chance to benefit from your changes. Access to the source code is a precondition for this. A program is free software if users have all of these freedoms. Thus, you should be free to redistribute copies, either with or without modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to anyone anywhere. Being free to do these things means (among other things) that you do not have to ask or pay for permission to do so. You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they exist. If you do publish your changes, you should not be required to notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way. The freedom to run the program means the freedom for any kind of person or organization to use it on any kind of computer system, for any kind of overall job and purpose, without being required to communicate about it with the developer or any other specific entity. In this freedom, it is the user's purpose that matters, not the developer's purpose; you as a user are free to run the program for your purposes, and if you distribute it to someone else, she is then free to run it for her purposes, but you are not entitled to impose your purposes on her. Excerpt from https://www.gnu.org/...hy/free-sw.html Hunchy II is not a free program because it can not be modified and redistributed with or without a fee.

I usually select software from a community-maintained repository. i don't have to think about it.

“Free software” means software that respects users' freedom and community. Roughly, the users have the freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software. With these freedoms, the users (both individually and collectively) control the program and what it does for them. When users don't control the program, the program controls the users. The developer controls the program, and through it controls the users. This nonfree or “proprietary” program is therefore an instrument of unjust power. Thus, “free software” is a matter of liberty, not price. To understand the concept, you should think of “free” as in “free speech,” not as in “free beer”. A program is free software if the program's users have the four essential freedoms: The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0). The freedom to study how the program works, and change it so it does your computing as you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a precondition for this. The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor (freedom 2). The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions to others (freedom 3). By doing this you can give the whole community a chance to benefit from your changes. Access to the source code is a precondition for this. A program is free software if users have all of these freedoms. Thus, you should be free to redistribute copies, either with or without modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to anyone anywhere. Being free to do these things means (among other things) that you do not have to ask or pay for permission to do so. You should also have the freedom to make modifications and use them privately in your own work or play, without even mentioning that they exist. If you do publish your changes, you should not be required to notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way. The freedom to run the program means the freedom for any kind of person or organization to use it on any kind of computer system, for any kind of overall job and purpose, without being required to communicate about it with the developer or any other specific entity. In this freedom, it is the user's purpose that matters, not the developer's purpose; you as a user are free to run the program for your purposes, and if you distribute it to someone else, she is then free to run it for her purposes, but you are not entitled to impose your purposes on her. EDIT: Excerpt from https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html

Unfree as in humans can trap it and keep it from going to other humans.

Did I stutter? El software no es libre. FSF.org.

This is called a breach of copyright. It is illegal and is not permitted under copyrighted works licensed under the GNU GPL.

You give up your individual rights if you live in any somewhat liberal, democratic country. Being free does not mean that one can trample on others. If you distribute a program to another person, that person must have as much freedom as you do, with regards to the essence of the program.

People have the right to make, use and modify software for any purpose. It is very common for businesses (and some individuals) to use free software for disrespectful purposes. Examples include Canonical, Oracle and Google. They have a right to do what they do, just as any other user does. If the agenda of the company and of the users diverge, each entity has the right and the ability to realign the program with its will.

You write a non-free program called Batari BASIC. I would love to use your software, but I would not be able to sell CDs of my operating system if I include it. Permissive licenses like the Apache license are fine, but the level of individual (or corporate) freedom is so extensive that the free program can be wiped out with non-free derivatives. Google Chrome and Android are clear examples. Most Android systems are released with agreements that render Android unfree. Android rarely (if ever) reaches the user in a form that gives them freedom.

Gnash leaves black boxes where Flash items should be. I never play them.

You miss the point. The game is a program that runs on a computer. As a person whose life extends into cyberspace, I have the right to know and modify what my computer does according to my will. By legally barring me from modifying what my computer does with your program, you are infringing on my right to self-determination. To use your game program is to give up my rights to you. El software es siempre libre. No es siempre software gratuito.

I am talking about freedom, not price. If we were writing in Spanish, as I'd prefer, I would be typing "libre".

I cannot buy Hunchy II because it is not a free program and does not respect my rights in cyberspace. Thank you for your support of GNU. We need it. You can support GNU by taking three seconds to say GNU+Linux, rather than naming your system after the kernel it normally uses. You can support the 2600 by making free games for the 2600, and showing it to affiliates of the Free Software Foundation. The FSF would be happy to promote a legendary game console and support the hobbyist community if it cared about digital freedom.

Unfortunately, I cannot play Hunchy II, because it is not a free program. I will not buy it. I am very saddened that I will not be able to have the pleasure of playing this game without forfeiting my freedom and supporting a culture of greed and lack of education.

I think you have betrayed all users by releasing the real version of Hunchy, Hunchy II, under a plain copyright statement that denies their rights as people of cyberspace. I think you should give necessary freedom to your users by releasing your game program as free software under the GNU GPL. EDIT: I will no longer aim to buy a cartridge of any of your game programs.