Free/Libre Knowledge can be acquired, interpreted and applied freely, it can be re-formulated according to one's needs, and shared with others for community benefit. In today's world, where knowledge may be captured and shared electronically, this freedom is not automatically preserved, and we elaborate this definition for explicit knowledge:
(Explicit) Libre knowledge is knowledge released in such a way that users are free to read, listen to, watch, or otherwise experience it; to learn from or with it; to copy, adapt and use it for any purpose; and to share derived works similarly (as free knowledge) for the benefit of the community.
Representations of free knowledge must be conveniently accessible for modification and sharing. For example, using Free software and Free file formats.
“Explicit knowledge” is knowledge captured on some medium, usually in a form representable on a computer (e.g. text, sound, video, animation, executable program, etc.).
Users of libre knowledge are free to:
Freedoms 1 and 3 require free file formats and free software as defined by the Free Software Foundation.
The term “libre resources” refers to digital resources - files in a free file format containing (e.g.) text, an image, sound, multimedia, etc. accessible with free software, and released under a licence which grants the users the freedom to access, read, listen to, watch, or otherwise experience the resource; to learn with, copy, perform, adapt and use it for any purpose; and to contribute and share enhancements or derived works.
Such resources are central to movements associated with Free software, free culture, and free knowledge, etc., and are used by libre communities for learning and knowledge generation.
We use the term “knowledge” to cover data (symbols), information (processed data revealing meaning), knowledge (know-how), ideas, understanding, etc. and extend our vision to collective wisdom. Knowledge may be factual and objective, personal (gained through study or experience), socially constructed, indigenous and culturally rooted, common, scientific, scholarly or non-academic. Knowledge may be represented and expressed in digital form (see “libre resources” above), in physical form, or as cultural traditions (oral, dance, song, etc.).
Libre Communities value:
Free as in freedom and free speech: see free software.