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Shareware
THE IDEA OF SHAREWARE
The shareware concept is a means of product distribution that allows a vast number of software products to be offered on a “try-before-you-buy” basis. Software writers develop a “shareware version” of their product, which is then distributed freely through bulletin boards, online services (such as CompuServe or the Internet), or even on diskettes passed between friends. If you like the software and plan to use it, you “register” (a.k.a. “buy”) the software with the author. Registration usually involves sending a fee to the author. Although some shareware variations only require that you send in your name and mailing address (often referred to as postcard-ware), or is complete in its shareware form, and no exchange of money is needed (known as $0 shareware or freeware). When you register a product, you will typically receive benefits, such as an updated version of the product, a printed manual, free technical support, or some other combination of benefits. The advantage of shareware is that anyone can put their program into distribution—and be assured of a huge distribution network—for virtually no cost.
The important things to remember about shareware is that it is not free, it is not public domain, and it is not a demo version of some shrink-wrapped product. It is fully functional copyrighted software that commands a purchase price. Once you have a shareware product, you might try the product for a certain period of time (typically 30 days). After that time, you must register the product (which is the purchase price) or cease using it. When you get a shareware product, it will always be marked as such in the startup screen and disk documentation.
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Shareware
THE IDEA OF SHAREWARE
The shareware concept is a means of product distribution that allows a vast number of software products to be offered on a “try-before-you-buy” basis. Software writers develop a “shareware version” of their product, which is then distributed freely through bulletin boards, online services (such as CompuServe or the Internet), or even on diskettes passed between friends. If you like the software and plan to use it, you “register” (a.k.a. “buy”) the software with the author. Registration usually involves sending a fee to the author. Although some shareware variations only require that you send in your name and mailing address (often referred to as postcard-ware), or is complete in its shareware form, and no exchange of money is needed (known as $0 shareware or freeware). When you register a product, you will typically receive benefits, such as an updated version of the product, a printed manual, free technical support, or some other combination of benefits. The advantage of shareware is that anyone can put their program into distribution—and be assured of a huge distribution network—for virtually no cost.
The important things to remember about shareware is that it is not free, it is not public domain, and it is not a demo version of some shrink-wrapped product. It is fully functional copyrighted software that commands a purchase price. Once you have a shareware product, you might try the product for a certain period of time (typically 30 days). After that time, you must register the product (which is the purchase price) or cease using it. When you get a shareware product, it will always be marked as such in the startup screen and disk documentation.
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