Technology is never neutral. The tools we build and the licenses we choose to govern them shape the digital society we live in.
On May 27, 2022, I had the opportunity to connect virtually with the students of the Autonomous University of Chiapas (UNACH) as part of their “Talento en TI” (IT Talent) series.
The Topic: Free Software and Open Source.
For me, this is more than just a development methodology; it is the ethical foundation of modern computing.
“Free” as in Freedom
The core of the session was spent dismantling the common misconception that “free software” simply means “zero cost.”
We explored the crucial definitions provided by the Free Software Foundation (FSF) and the Open Source Initiative (OSI). We discussed that true freedom in technology means the liberty to run, study, modify, and share the software that underpins our lives. It is about user sovereignty, not just price tags.
The Academic Imperative
For students entering fields like Systems Engineering and Software Development, understanding this philosophy is vital. It shifts their perspective from being passive consumers of proprietary “black boxes” to becoming active participants in a global, transparent ecosystem.
Open Source is where innovation happens today. By embracing these principles, future engineers learn that collaboration is stronger than isolation, and that transparency is the only path to trust in the digital age.