@p >Not just the software, the entire system: it's an open protocol that people can revise. You can fork the entire system, move to a different genesis block.
Software is the thing that implements the protocol.

There is a protocol whitepaper, but it's really mostly documented via source code.

As it's free software, people can change the software and therefore change the protocol.

Moving to a different genesis block requires a software modification.

>Sure, yeah; it is nice but it's harder to make use of.
Yes, governments have gone and tried to limit Monero by making it hard to acquire in exchanges, but once you get it, it's very easy to make use of.

>It does not: it is issued by a central authority.
You don't need to run proprietary software to receive or make use of cash.