What is meant by the name "Freeware"?
Freeware is a title that is used freely throughout the internet and fairly often mistakenly. I suspect that the root of the confusion is down to the person that first coined the phrase "Freeware" and included "Free" in it. The term itself does give out the perception that it can used however you like. It's free after all? Alas "Freeware" doesn't mean Free
With Freeware the author still retains the rights to the software and the software is still licensed but they permit you the license for an unlimited time with no cost. The software license as a rule restricts the usage in some way so that, for instance, the core files are not allowed to be modified, or you are not allowed to re-distribute the software or take any payment for making the software available for download.
Why the need for a license?
There is usually a purpose for why the developer has chosen to allow you to use this software for free. For example, the developer wants you to use a 'Lite' version of the software and be so impressed with it that you buy the full pro copy or they want you to go to their website to download it where they hope to entice you with other goods.
Is this a bad thing? No. How can something that you can use for free be bad?
null Maybe there is some kind of marketing agenda going on and maybe they would like you to purchase the pro version but you are still getting to use the software for nothing. The bottom line is that if you are using the software and you like it then you can continue for as long as you like without payment.
What kind of software is "Free Software"?
Absolutely free software is know as "Free Software" but this again is a term that has become misused so I would double check by reading any licences or small print before using it as a base to develop your own software.
Just to keep you straight, here are a couple of other terms that are used that may lead you to think that the software is "Free"
Shareware - This type of software you can distribute as much as you like as long as you don't take payment or modify the source code. The big difference between this and Freeware is that the license to use the software only last for a limited time (usually 30 days) after which you need to make a payment to continue using it.
Open Source - You can modify and distribute this software however much you like. You can use it to create your own software packages and some of the best software around is open source software. What you are never allowed to do is to sell anything that you create from using someone elses open source software. Any license information contained within the source code must remain intact along with any credits to the previous developer.
Freeware is a title that is used freely throughout the internet and fairly often mistakenly. I suspect that the root of the confusion is down to the person that first coined the phrase "Freeware" and included "Free" in it. The term itself does give out the perception that it can used however you like. It's free after all? Alas "Freeware" doesn't mean Free
With Freeware the author still retains the rights to the software and the software is still licensed but they permit you the license for an unlimited time with no cost. The software license as a rule restricts the usage in some way so that, for instance, the core files are not allowed to be modified, or you are not allowed to re-distribute the software or take any payment for making the software available for download.
Why the need for a license?
There is usually a purpose for why the developer has chosen to allow you to use this software for free. For example, the developer wants you to use a 'Lite' version of the software and be so impressed with it that you buy the full pro copy or they want you to go to their website to download it where they hope to entice you with other goods.
Is this a bad thing? No. How can something that you can use for free be bad?
null Maybe there is some kind of marketing agenda going on and maybe they would like you to purchase the pro version but you are still getting to use the software for nothing. The bottom line is that if you are using the software and you like it then you can continue for as long as you like without payment.
What kind of software is "Free Software"?
Absolutely free software is know as "Free Software" but this again is a term that has become misused so I would double check by reading any licences or small print before using it as a base to develop your own software.
Just to keep you straight, here are a couple of other terms that are used that may lead you to think that the software is "Free"
Shareware - This type of software you can distribute as much as you like as long as you don't take payment or modify the source code. The big difference between this and Freeware is that the license to use the software only last for a limited time (usually 30 days) after which you need to make a payment to continue using it.
Open Source - You can modify and distribute this software however much you like. You can use it to create your own software packages and some of the best software around is open source software. What you are never allowed to do is to sell anything that you create from using someone elses open source software. Any license information contained within the source code must remain intact along with any credits to the previous developer.
About the Author:
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