What is meant by the name "Freeware"?
Freeware is a term that is used freely across the internet and fairly regularly incorrectly. Possibly it is the 'Free' part of the term that causes confusion as when someone gives you something for free it is normally yours to use, change or pass on as you see fit. with 'Freeware' this is not the case.
Basically Freeware means that you can use the software indefinitely without making any payment. The software still has a license governing how you can use it. The software license usually restricts the usage in some way so that, for example, 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?
Yes you can use this software for free for as long as you like but often the developer would like to pull your awareness to their products or better software that you need to pay for. For instance, the developer wants you to use a 'Lite' version of the software and be so impressed with it that you buy the full pro version or they want you to go to their website to download it where they hope to entice you with other goods.
Does this make Freeware bad? No. It's great!
OK. There may be some marketing behind allowing you to use the software for free but you still get to use it no matter what the scheme is. Maybe the lite version is enough for your needs but if you are tempted by the pro version at least you have had a good (Free) opportunity to review the lite version.
So what kind of software is completely free?
I would recommend reading any small print before deciding for yourself that you can do as you see fit with someone elses software but the correct term is "Free Software" but this term is also very often misused so check the small print.
Here a a couple or other terms relating to Free Software where the meanings have become misused.
Shareware - This type of software is often very similar to Freeware except that it doesn't have the all important "License with no cost". 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 - This type of software basically allows you to modify it, use it and distribute it as you see fit, the source code is open. 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 term that is used freely across the internet and fairly regularly incorrectly. Possibly it is the 'Free' part of the term that causes confusion as when someone gives you something for free it is normally yours to use, change or pass on as you see fit. with 'Freeware' this is not the case.
Basically Freeware means that you can use the software indefinitely without making any payment. The software still has a license governing how you can use it. The software license usually restricts the usage in some way so that, for example, 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?
Yes you can use this software for free for as long as you like but often the developer would like to pull your awareness to their products or better software that you need to pay for. For instance, the developer wants you to use a 'Lite' version of the software and be so impressed with it that you buy the full pro version or they want you to go to their website to download it where they hope to entice you with other goods.
Does this make Freeware bad? No. It's great!
OK. There may be some marketing behind allowing you to use the software for free but you still get to use it no matter what the scheme is. Maybe the lite version is enough for your needs but if you are tempted by the pro version at least you have had a good (Free) opportunity to review the lite version.
So what kind of software is completely free?
I would recommend reading any small print before deciding for yourself that you can do as you see fit with someone elses software but the correct term is "Free Software" but this term is also very often misused so check the small print.
Here a a couple or other terms relating to Free Software where the meanings have become misused.
Shareware - This type of software is often very similar to Freeware except that it doesn't have the all important "License with no cost". 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 - This type of software basically allows you to modify it, use it and distribute it as you see fit, the source code is open. 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:
Apple Mac Freeware is the best resource of Free Mac Software on the internet. You won't find any Shareware or paid software listed on our website just 100% Free Software for Mac.
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