Freeware
Freeware is copyrighted software for the computer that’s FREE. There is some software which may be considered freeware, but it’s actually shareware. It has limited distribution; it may only be downloaded from a specific site, and cannot be redistributed.
•“The term freeware was coined by Andrew Fluegelman when he wanted to sell a communications program named PC-Talk that he had created but for which he did not wish to use traditional methods of distribution because of their cost.” The term 'freeware' may include public domain software and commercial software.
•Some authors create freeware to “give something to the community.” Others want to gain exposure.
•It is made available free of charge for an unlimited time.
Terms of Use
• The only criterion for being classified as "freeware" is that the software must be made available for use for an unlimited time at no cost. • Everything created with the freeware programs can be distributed at no cost (ex. graphics, documents, or sounds made by users). • The software license may impose one or more other restrictions on the type of use including personal use, individual use, and non-profit use.
Terms of Using Freeware
• Copy written freeware has different terms based on the producer. It may be redistributed or it may not, it may be modified with permission and derivative works are encouraged
– Source code
• Public domain freeware can be manipulated, decompiled and redistributed • Commercial freeware is usually safer than others (there have been incidents)
Types of Freeware
• Business
– Accounting, Microsoft Office add-ins, Label/Business Cards
• Education
– Computers, Language, Engineering
• Games
– Action, Adventure, Game Creation
• Graphics
– Animation, Graphic Manipulation (photos)
• Programming
– Compilers, Editors, HTML Tools
Some good sources
-http://www.freewarehome.com Collection of free programs (freeware, open source and shareware free for non-commercial use) -http://www.freewarefiles.com The most visited website out of this four sources. Propose a great variety. -http://www.snapfiles.com/freeware Classified by categories of freeware -http://www.freeware-guide.com Gives all the new updates on freeware and also tells the top ten of freewares.
Problems and Risk Associated With Freeware
• • • • Poor interfaces Difficult installation No vendor support Users can make changes to the freeware (opensource) • Unwanted or hidden software • Spyware and viruses
Freeware Programs
• There are hundreds of freeware games • It appears that most applications are not free but rather shareware • Lots of older games and some newer ones become freeware when the author of the game releases to the public for free
• Examples of Freeware games include: 1) Arch lord is a MMORPG 2) Cube is a first-person shooter 3) Eternal Daughter is a adventure game 4) GeneRally is a topdown arcade racing game 5) Imogen is a cartoon platform puzzle game
Works Cited
Edwards, John. "The changing face of freeware." Computer 31.n10 (Oct 1998): 11(3). Computer Database. Gale. Old Dominion University Library. 26 Feb. 2008 Harbrecht, Douglas and Alex Salkever. “An Unwanted Gift for Free File-Swappers: A Trojan horse unknowingly tucked into software of peer-to-peer services such as Grokster may now be on millions of hard drives” Business Week. 3 January 2002. http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/jan2002/nf2002013_5627.htm Edwards, Mark Joseph. “FunLove Virus Infects Microsoft Hotfixes.” Windows IT Pro. http://www.windowsitpro.com/article/articleid/20864/funlove-virus-infects-microsofthotfixes.html Kuruvilla, Anna Elizabeth. “Software Ethics and Legal Use - A clean tech.” IT Outsourcing India. http://itoutsourcingindia.com/resources/software_ethics.asp Free Article & Web Content. Amazines http://www.amazines.com/Andrew_Fluegelman_related.html