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\section{Open Source software}
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Ubuntu is open source software. Open source software differs from proprietary software \dash software whose source code is patented and is therefore not freely available for modification or distribution by anyone but the rightsholder.\marginnote{The \textbf{source code} of a program is the collection files that have been written in a computer language to make the program.} Microsoft Windows and Adobe Photoshop are examples of proprietary software. \marginnote{\textbf{Proprietary software} is software that cannot be copied, modified, or distributed freely.}
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Ubuntu is open source software. Open source software differs from proprietary software \dash software whose source code is patented and is therefore not freely available for modification or distribution by anyone but the rightsholder. \marginnote{The \textbf{source code} of a program is the collection files that have been written in a computer language to make the program.} Microsoft Windows and Adobe Photoshop are examples of proprietary software. \marginnote{\textbf{Proprietary software} is software that cannot be copied, modified, or distributed freely.}
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Unlike proprietary software applications, Ubuntu is specifically licensed to promote sharing and collaboration. The legal rules governing Ubuntu's production and distribution ensure that anyone can obtain, run, or share it for any purpose they wish. Computer users can modify open source software to suit their individual needs, share it, improve it, or translate it into other languages \dash provided they release these modifications so others can do the same. In fact, the terms of many open source licensing agreements make it illegal not to do so.