First of all you should know that SOFTWARE is a generic and “all encompassing” term for all of the above. In short SOFTWARE means a piece of code that achieves a certain objective such as a paint programs invoicing programs and web browsers (and even games) to name a few. Software implies that it is not a hard device that you could simply hold in your hand but more data and programming code that might be stored on any computerized device; such as a Hard Drive, Flash Drive, or even the Cloud.
A good place to download and evaluate Software is from Download.com. When downloading please always remember to look at the popularity of the item, the ratings and always, always read the reviews that are conveniently located below the description of the product.
SOFTWARE can also be described more specifically by its marketing platform or the mechanics of how the Programmer is compensated financially.
These terms can positively reflect the industry by words such as SHAREWARE, FREEWARE AND OPENSOURCE
OR Negatively by terms such as Adware, Bannerware, Bloatware, or Nagware which are further defined at the end of this article
An example of popware, adware, bannerware
So let’s break it down…
SHAREWARE as defined appropriately by Google is, SOFTWARE that is available FREE of charge and often distributed informally for EVALUATION PURPOSES, after which a fee may be requested for continued use.
BUT before Google DEFINED SHAREWARE…the “ASSOCIATION OF SOFTWARE PROFESSIONALS” really prescribed some terms of what SHARWARE SHOULD BE IDENTIFIED AS:
IN my recollection from some 20 years before and still stands true today at heart…
- SHAREWARE, SHOULD BE… Adware, Banner-ware and Nag-ware FREE.
- TRUE “SHAREWARE”, should have NO limitations before purchasing the actual product!
- SHAREWARE, may have a time limit of 30 days before these supposed limited features (like saving only one page OF a document or one image out of a batch filter) are incorporated.
FREEWARE, Is the next step in software evolution~ FREEWARE is just that.. no time restrictions, no banners or annoying ads, but truly FREE SOFTWARE that you can use! SOME OF THE BEST SOFTWARE IN THE WORLD IS TRUELY FREEWARE!!
WHY? Some people might ask that a programmer or company would create a piece of really good software and not ask for a nickel in return?
- Start Up programmers wanting to get a name for themselves or companies that need name recognition.
- Companies that ask you to participate in usage stat or enhancing the community experience might data mine anonymously your usage performance of the software.
- Because they believe they are the best at what they do and do not have an investor to spread the word or advertise with such as name brands like Microsoft or Adobe to back them.
A good place to download Freeware Applications are:
http://www.freewarefiles.com/screenshot.php?programid=13617
or one of the original file repositories such as TuCows
http://www.tucows.com/list_detail.html?id=9
Some good example of Freeware are:
VLC Media Player which is lighter and plays more files than WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER
Irfanview is an image viewer and editor which allows you to view hundreds of different file type.
Gimp an Image editor often compared to a scaled down version of the Industry Standards – Adobe Photoshop
Here is a screen shot of the very popular Media Player VLC
FREEWARE Screenshot of the popular media Player VLC
Which leads me to the Grand Finale of all Software “Open Source”
OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE. is just like FREEWARE EXCEPT THAT it allows for anyone to inspect or change the code at any given time and to use it and share it freely with everyone.
One Example of this is the ever so popular Linux (pronounced Lie-Nux eg: vowel consonant vowel from Linus Torvalds) the originator of the freely open source operating system based on UNIX.
NEGATIVE INDUSTRY SHAREWARE TERMS – THESE ARE NOT NORMALLY ASSOCIATED WITH ANY TYPE OF SHAREWARE, FREEWARE OR OPEN SOURCE APPLICATION
NAGWARE – a popup to “buy this product”, an “extra button to press” before using the product or “x amount of seconds to wait” before the product starts.
ADWARE AND BANNER-WARE- means that every time the software launches, the product will display ads that will ask you to purchase anything and everything from how to lose weight to buying a popular game or song; or even more software. This is another form of the revenue stream for the company allowing you to try the product before you purchase it. Usually once the product is purchased a code will be sent to the consumer that will remove the annoying ads while using the product.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ADWARE CAN SOMETIMES ACT A AS VIRUS AND POPUP ADS EVEN AFTER TERMINATING THE PROGRAM.
BLOATWARE – according to the UrbanDisctionary.com is defined as:
A piece of software, hardware or website that attempts to do too much and becomes utterly useless for users. An example of bloatware would be a word processing application that also tries to be your page layout program, drawing tool, and web browser; absorbing half your hard drive and all your RAM in the process.
For information on terms such as Malware or spyware please read our in depth review located at:
http://beaufortcomputerrepair.com/what-is-the-difference-between-a-virus-spyware-malware-or-trojan-horses/
