Weekly Tip Sheet #12
ABOUT DOWNLOADABLE SOFTWARE
Freeware, Shareware, Nagware, Spyware, Demos, Betas...
Half of the fun of using the Internet is finding great inexpensive or free software programs. The Internet is filled with programs of this type, but you have to know what you are looking for and understand the different types of programs.
There are plenty of free programs available but it is sometimes difficult to determine just what kind of program you are dealing with. Let's start with a few definitions.
FREEWARE
This is free software that you download from the Internet and install. You can copy it and use it freely, but it is copyrighted so you cannot sell it as your own.
SHAREWARE
Shareware is also free - up to a point. Like freeware, shareware is copyrighted. You can copy it and use it on a trial basis. However, if you want to keep on using shareware after the trial period, which is usually 30 days, you are expected to pay for
it. Sometimes this is completely on an "honour" basis. At other times, the program will only work for a certain period of time, and then it will lock up unless you have paid the fee. Paying for shareware programs which you find useful will encourage
software developers to continue to develop shareware programs, which are usually much cheaper than commercial software.
FREEWARE
This is free software that you download from the Internet and install. You can copy it and use it freely, but it is copyrighted so you cannot sell it as your own.
NAGWARE
This is actually shareware that has 'expired'. Although the program may fully function beyond the (usually 30 day) trial period, reminder notices will pop up upon starting the program or performing certain tasks.
DEMOS
The difference between demo software and shareware is that demos are generally the products of major software manufacturers like Adobe, Macromedia, Microsoft, etc. Unlike shareware, demos will cease to function after the trial period. Demos may also have
certain features disabled. Most often the 'Save' function will be disabled in a demo. This allows you to use the program to get an idea of what it is capable of but does not allow you to save the results of your work. Demos are often really full programs
which are 'unlocked' by registering and paying.
BETA SOFTWARE
Beta software is software which is still in development. Manufacturers will often make beta programs available to users for free. They will generally follow up with questionaires requesting feedback. This helps manufacturers to get the bugs out
of their product before releasing it. Run beta programs at your own risk - they probably do have some bugs. When the full version is launched, beta users will be targeted as prospective buyers.
SPYWARE
Some shareware and freeware programs are not as innocent as they appear. Spyware is software which tracks and reports activity by the user. The most common spyware programs are those which purport to speed up your Internet connection. While, in some
cases, these programs actually do make some web pages load faster, they are keeping track of what web sites are being accessed from your computer. This information is being sold to large advertising and marketing firms who will use it to place targeted
banner ads or send unsolicited commercial email.
Want to use some shareware to see if you have spyware running on your machine? Try installing Ad-aware from Lavasoft (http://www.lavasoft.de). The program will identify spyware and assist you in removing it, if you decide that your privacy is more important than continuing to use the offending freeware/spyware.
FINDING DOWNLOADABLE SOFTWARE
If you're interested in downloading and installing some shareware, freeware or demos, try the following sources:
- Ziff-Davis Software Library - http://www.zdnet.com/swlib
- Tucows - http://www.tucows.com
- CNET - http://download.com.com/2001-20-0.html
- PC World - http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/
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