| Software
vs. Shareware
by Michael E. Callahan aka Dr. File Finder
This question submitted by Bobby Sampson, Mary Wilson,
Jack Watson, Debbie Panera, Wendy Braun, and numerous
others
I've gotten all kinds of emails asking about the difference
between "shareware" and "software". I can see by reading
these emails that there is serious confusion about the
two terms. I'm hoping that I can clear up that confusion
today.
"Software" is a name given to computer programs and
differentiate it from computer hardware. Software is
compiled code that helps the computer to perform specific
tasks. The operating system, like Windows or Linux,
is system software that tells the computer how to behave
in general. Application software would include things
like tex editors, word processors, spreadsheets, and
lots more. Without software your computer would be slightly
less useful than your toaster.
Software is created using higher level languages like
C++, Visual Studio, Delphi, and others. In the early
days of programming many programmers used assembly language
which created programs that were very small and fast.
Application software interacts with your system software
and in many cases creates data.
"Shareware" is a marketing method for selling software.
This method was devised in early by three men: Andrew
Fleugelman, Jim Button, and Bob Wallace. At that time
each of them called the concept something else, but
Bob Wallace was the one who coined the term shareware.
The basic premise of shareware is that the user can
"try before they buy." True shareware lets you evaluate
the product for a period of time, usually without restrictions.
After the evaluation period is up you either buy the
software or you remove it from your computer.
The "shareware" marketing model has become so popular
that in todays software market nearly all "software"
companies utilize the "shareware" marketing model, though
most don't refer to it as such. You can even look around
and see other products that are using the "try before
you buy" marketing model. For example, I saw a commercial
for a piece of exercise equipment where you could pay
$ to have it sent to your house for days. If, at the
end of that time, you haven't returned it, you continue
to pay for it. Very similar to shareware.
The key thing to remember is that shareware is not a
special kind of software. It's simply software that's
sold using the "try before you buy" marketing model.
Today this model is used by most companies. At the Shareware
Industry Awards, Microsoft, Adobe, Corel, and Google
all won awards. So, the face of "shareware" is changing.
From
www.tucows.com
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