[Blog entry in progress. Not finished.]
According to legend, The Free Software movement began as a response to a number of companies closing their software for the purpose of making profits. [1] By closing, I am refering to the source code. Source code is to computer programmers what seed is to farmers. A farmer can turn seed into more seed. A programmer can turn source code into more programs. Back in the 1960's and 70's, companies started closing their software, hiding the source code. Programmers could no longer take programs and make new programs out of them. An idealistic young programmer named Richard Stallman realized what was happening and organized the Free Software Foundation to combat what he instinctively felt was a bad thing.
I believe it was not an accident that Richard Stallman led the way in the Free Software movement. I believe it goes back to his Jewish roots. Although he has been a firm and committed atheist since the age of twelve, the entire driving ethic behind the Free Software movement that he founded breathes the spirit of the Torah, the Law of Moses.
The Open Source movement also drinks from the same well, but partakes more of the Christian New Testament than the Jewish Old Testament.
Two different threads: public service, giving to charity, and the limits on property thread, can't prevent others from benefiting from your labor.
Be fruitful and multiply and become many. No castrated male shall enter the congregation. To give is better than to recieve. Let others benefit from your work; picking an apple tree, gleaning a harvest. Busy wisdom and sell it not. Do unto others. Recieved freely, give freely (gov't funding).
Catholic demographic. Jewish roots of Richard Stallman and many of open sources leading figures.