Downloads! Free and Legal Sites...
By Will from Holland
(Glossary)
Freeware
Freeware is free software, without any surprises or conditions. Manufacturers who produced the software as their hobby make the software available. Freeware cannot be used for commercial purposes and also can't be sold.
Shareware
Shareware is, in most cases, a trial version of a software program. You can try the software all you want, but sometimes after a while either the program locks up or some components of the software don't work. The only legal way to get rid of these restrictions is to get the paid version. Some shareware programs keep on working, but at very regular intervals pop up a message reminding you to pay for the use of the software. We've divided Shareware into three types:
- Liteware (Crippleware, Demoware or Hookemware)
A free demo version of a program. Some of the program's functions will not work. These programs are intended only to get the user familiar with and dependent on the program. Presto, there goes a sale of the full version! - Expireware (Trialware)
Software, which will not work after a period of time, or after a certain number of uses. After downloading the whole version or inserting a password the program will work again. - Nagware
This type of downloadable software will nag the user repeatedly that the software must be registered (and paid for).
Adware (pitchware): Free software, but with inserted commercials.
- Cardware (postcardware): Same as Freeware, only the manufacturer would like to get a postcard as payback (? - What's up with that? We don't see the use of this...).
- Careware (charityware): This type of software is hard to find on the Web, and not often used. Careware developers ask for donations for charity when you download their files.
- Guiltware: Guiltware is free software with a guilt trip attached to it. The developer tells you how hard he or she has worked to develop the program and then asks for a donation. Hey, why not, if it's a good program?
- Abandonware: This is older software which is made available without any copyrights. This way the manufacturer hopes you'll get so enthusiastic about the older version, you'll buy the new version or upgrade.