Exercise216d

Ex 1.6.1.3 - Understand the terms shareware, freeware, open source

KNOWLEDGE

SHAREWARE

It is often thought that Shareware can be shared freely and used for free. This is not really the case. Shareware is software that is available, usually for free, that you can install on your system and "test" to see if you like it and it is useful. After a trial period, usually 30 days, you are expected to either remove the Shareware from your machine or pay for a License to use it. Some Shareware has built in self-destruct code which renders it useless after 30 days, other Shareware has limited capabilities such as the print or save options may not be available. A lot of very good software is available as Shareware (try www.shareware.com) and the cost of purchasing a License is often very reasonable.

FREEWARE

Freeware refers to software that can be used freely, distributed freely and copied freely. There is no necessity to obtain a License or pay for such software and there is no threat of legal action for using it. A very wide range of software is available on the Internet as Freeware for users to download and install on their systems (try www.freeware.com - only some applications are free). Some of it is good and some of it is not so good. Some of it is useful some of it is not so useful. Care should be taken when installing both shareware and freeware as you may inadvertently install either Spyware or Adware onto your machine at the same time.

OPEN SOURCE

Open source is the term used to in computing to describe software that is free to use, distribute to others and to modify. The Linux operating system used extensively to power internet servers is open source software and as such can be installed free of charge by anyone. MySql is an Internet based database that again can be used free of charge, distributed to others and if required modified.

FURTHER INFORMATION

To read further information about the topic(s) discussed in this exercise try visiting the following web site(s): www.shareware.com - Find Shareware Applications www.freeware.com - Find Freeware Applications (only some applications are free)