How Free Software makes Wikipedia possible

This document discusses how free and open source software enables Wikipedia to exist and function as a free, collaborative online encyclopedia. It notes that Wikipedia uses the free software MediaWiki, which is licensed under the GNU GPL, and other free software like Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP, Bugzilla, IRC, Mailman, JavaScript, Python and Perl. It emphasizes that free knowledge requires free software and formats to ensure accessibility. It also acknowledges the pioneering work of the GNU project and Free Software Foundation in developing the idea that software should be freely shared and modifiable.