What's a freeware?A freeware program is a special type of software, that one can use without time limit and without being obliged to pay some money to its author. It's a free (free as in "free beer", not as "free speech") IT creation which can be released under some conditions given by its author. As a result, the end-user does not have to pay to obtain a complete version of a freeware software, because a freeware is already a full version of a software, without any limited features.
The main difference with its opposite, the shareware, is here: it's a type of software which is often limited in time or features, and, if the end-user is satisfied by its use, it requires him/her to give some money to its author, to thank him/her for this work, and, as well, obtain a full, non-limited version of the software.
One of the drawbacks of freeware software compared to a paid software, is that, very often, a freeware is released without any warranty from its author; this one will often deny any responsibility for any problems which could occur on the end-user's computer following the use of the software. Also, a freeware being often developed by its author during his/her freetime, (s)he can't offer the same technical support than a commercial software.
A freeware is not necessarily a piece of software, it can be a collection of sounds or images, for example. But you can also find some IT creations which are being distributed as freeware: a spreadsheet document, some macros, a screensaver... Thus, you don't need to be a programmer to participate actively in IT. Can we use a freeware as we want?Absolutely not! Even if it's free, a software released as freeware is put, explicitly or implicitly, under the control of its author. (S)he can easily mention, in his/her software documentation or website, some restrictions, like the prohibition to release it on some computer supports or the right to use the software for non-commercial use only. Those restrictions, given by the author of the software, are quite often thought to be non-abusive for the end-user.
Some restrictions are even often used, like the prohibition to distribute the freeware in exchange of money (unless it's a little fee aimed at covering distribution support's costs), or the prohibition to use the software for lucrative purposes, like in a firm. Such restrictions are here to prevent people to make money with the work of another person who gave it for free.
Warning though, because too many limitations or abusive restrictions can harm the distribution of a freeware. For example, a freeware which would be allowed to be released on the web only, would be therefore unreachable for a user which does not have an Internet connection, because their authors would forbid, with such a restriction, the distribution of their software through an IT magazine.
An author who releases his/her productions for free must then find a good balance between the rights he grants to the end-users and the rights (s)he owns on his/her software, so that the end-user could not be frustrated by too much restrictions. Beware of the terminology!Freeware programs are sometimes denoted as being "free sharewares", which is a language abuse, as the latter are paying!
Moreover, do not confuse "free trial version" with "full free version". A "free trial version" often refers to a feature or time-limited version of a shareware or commercial software, aimed at demonstration purposes; on the contrary, a "full free version" would rather refer to a piece of software which is complete and free to use, independent from any other software, even if it can be a light version of a more powerful program.
Be also aware of freeware programs which can be described as "free software" (or the contrary): be careful, as it can either refer to a software which does not cost any money (free as in "free beer"), to an open-source software (which is free as in "free speech") or both; an open-source software is distributed with its sources (the code or resources from which the program has been created) and often carries less restrictions than a freeware, even if their authors keep the control of their software. No confusion should be made with "public domain" software, which has been freed from any author rights and left to the public hands.
Last, you must know that there are also some other freeware-inspired forms of software, like the "cardware" or "emailware" which consist of an e-mail or postcard you must send to the software's author to thank him for his/her work. And what about the authors?Perhaps are you wondering what are the interests, for an author, to develop a freeware, as it does not bring him/her money?
Let's say that there are persons who don't really care about using IT to earn money, but who prefer to use it to share their hobbies with you. It's my case, for example, but there are many more reasons for an author to write a freeware program; (s)he can, for example, release a software for free in order to promote another software, more powerful, but often paying.
But, even if a software is free, an excellent way to thank its author is to send him/her, by e-mail or postal address, your remarks and suggestions so that (s)he can enhance and ameliorate his program; giving your opinion on a software allows its author to enhance it to better fit your needs. Be aware that a little message is often enough to thank its author for weeks or months of work on a freeware. Another way to reward him/her would be to help spreading his software around you and your friends.
Your support is thus essential for us, freeware authors, because it may be quite disappointing to work for people who never give anything in return... And be sure that any contribution is always appreciated, financial or not! |
