Hi there,
Like what Chris stated, freeware is software offered free of charge by
its developer.
However, there are some subtle differences between freeware and open
source or free software. The terms "free software" and "open source"
software can be used interchangeably, hence the coining of the term
FLOSS for "Free Libra Open Source Software". BTW libra is just French
for "free". But freeware and free software can not be used
interchangeably! The difference lies in licensing issues.
Free software (also known as open source) is software which comes with
its source. You get the software and the code used to write that
software from the developer such that you can modify it if you find that
you need to add some features. For example, NVDA is Open Source because
you can get its code which is developed in Python. For one to start
modifying the software, they must know the language used: its syntax,
its grammar, all the conditions and loops needed to code the software.
On the other hand, freeware can be software without its source:: this
source is protected and cannot be given to the public. This is called
pproprietary software. An example of freeware is Microsoft Security
Essentials. You do not pay to use that software, but at the same time
you do not get its source. Only the person who wrote that software knows
its code. This is usually done to protect certain trade secrets and to
beat competition.
For one to know whether software is freeware or Open source (free
software), they need to first read its licence. Most software
distributed as free or Open Source, is covered by the GNU General Public
License, or the BSD Licence, MIT licence etc.
With freeware, the licence is protected by the developer's own
proprietary licence or a EULA (end user licence agreement). This assumes
that you get the software to use it as an end user and not to further
modify it or distribute it.
Anyway, I think this thread just brought out an important thing we must
bear in mind as we buy software or download it from the internet: namely
that we have to read first the terms and conditions of any software we
are getting. You may get software as freeware, but you may not be
allowed to distribute it to third parties. Such an action will be a
violation of the contract. If it is covered under an Open Source
Licence, of course you can even modify the software to your heart's
pleasure subject to the terms that you won't close the source afterwards.
Hope this helps, I'm sorry if it throws confusion instead.
Ishe
On 9/27/2010 8:34 PM, yvonne oliver wrote:
hello Alan
thank you for your reply to my understanding of the difference in the
terms of free and share
i am sure there will be someone who disagrees with us but it makes sense
in what i said re the difference
Yvonne
----- Original Message ----- From: "Alan Dicey" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 27, 2010 6:38 PM
Subject: [Blind-Computing] What Is Meant By The Term "Shareware?"
Dear Yvonne,
I believe you are absolutely correct, this is how I have always
understood these terms.
With Best Regards,
Alan
Miami, Florida
Alan Dicey, President
United States Braille Chess Association - USBCA
"Yes, Blind or Visually Impaired People Can, and Do, Play Chess!!!"
United States Braille Chess Association Home Page:
http://AmericanBlindChess.org
----- Original Message ----- From: "yvonne oliver"
<[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 27, 2010 1:29 PM
Subject: Re: [Blind-Computing] What Is Meant By The Term "Shareware?"
hi
for some reason i always thought that shareware was completely free
to use permanently as it is passed amongst others to try and see if
they like it with no obligation to purchase, upgrades, or making a
payment of any sort
freeware however i always thought was where the person who wrote the
program offers it free to use but will ask for donations.
and of course wear freeware has the option of being completely free
but has restrictions for instance some parts of the program can't be
used until the full version is purchased
and of course to upgrade to the later version requires the program to
be purchased
but as far as i am aware this upgrade only applies to freeware as
sharewear if given away
for example jaws and talks is free to obtain and use but to use the
program in it's entirety and have restrictions removed requires the
purchasing of the program
for example jaws and talks have a demo period for around 10 or 20
minutes
purchasing the program removes the demo period
i could be wrong and if i am i stand corrected.
Yvonne
----- Original Message ----- From: "Pedro Romero" <[email protected]>
To: "Blind Computing list" <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 27, 2010 4:54 PM
Subject: [Blind-Computing] What Is Meant By The Term "Shareware?"
Hi all. The subject says it all. I hear this term a lot but have no
idea what it means. Also, what is meant by the terms "Freeware" and
"firmware?"
Pete
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