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Editing Which name should you use?
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It is true that the term is today often heard in the context of commercial endeavors. However, that does not mean that "free content" is automatically a problematic phrase. In fact, it can be the opposite. | It is true that the term is today often heard in the context of commercial endeavors. However, that does not mean that "free content" is automatically a problematic phrase. In fact, it can be the opposite. | ||
== Free Work == | |||
"Work" is a very general term to describe information which has recognizable merit. It avoids some of the problems people may perceive with the word "content". However, it has its own ambiguity. People might read "Free Work" as meaning "you work for free", or deliberately refer to this ambiguity to get laughs from an audience. | "Work" is a very general term to describe information which has recognizable merit. It avoids some of the problems people may perceive with the word "content". However, it has its own ambiguity. People might read "Free Work" as meaning "you work for free", or deliberately refer to this ambiguity to get laughs from an audience. | ||
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"a free work production", "free work encyclopedia". Content is both singular and plural, e.g. "This movie is free content", "these movies are free content", as opposed to "This movie is [a] free work", "these movies are free works". | "a free work production", "free work encyclopedia". Content is both singular and plural, e.g. "This movie is free content", "these movies are free content", as opposed to "This movie is [a] free work", "these movies are free works". | ||
== Free Information == | |||
Arguably the most sterile term, it is somewhat long and unwieldy. Compare: "free information encyclopedia" vs. "free content encyclopedia"; "free information provider" vs. "free content provider". It is mundane to the point of being not easily recognized as a distinct phrase, which may increase the problem of ambiguity with the word "free". "Free info" avoids some of these problems, but may be perceived as sounding somewhat diminutive ("Hey man, got some free info?"), which may lead authors and artists to be disinclined to use it. | Arguably the most sterile term, it is somewhat long and unwieldy. Compare: "free information encyclopedia" vs. "free content encyclopedia"; "free information provider" vs. "free content provider". It is mundane to the point of being not easily recognized as a distinct phrase, which may increase the problem of ambiguity with the word "free". "Free info" avoids some of these problems, but may be perceived as sounding somewhat diminutive ("Hey man, got some free info?"), which may lead authors and artists to be disinclined to use it. | ||
=== | == Conclusion == | ||
None of these terms is perfect, so we allow you to refer to the [[Definition]] as the "Free Content Definition", "Free Work Definition", "Free Information Definintion", or "Free Info Definition". However, based on the above considerations, "free content" is the primary term used in the URL of this site and in some of its pages. | |||