| Fun With Freeware 1 |
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Freeware is software distributed without charge. In most cases, ownership is retained by the author who has control over its redistribution, including the right to change the next release of the freeware to payware. Often, an author will distribute copies of a new application and ask users to contact him/her with feedback, such as details of any problems that may have been encountered in using the program or suggestions for additional improvements. Once a final version has been produced, the author may decide to make that a freeware product too, to offer it as shareware or to market it as payware - a program that may not be installed or used by anyone who has not paid for it. Some freeware is Public Domain Software, which has no specific individual owner but belongs to everyone. You may, therefore, do what you will with it, including selling it, including it as part of new software you are creating, or altering it to fulfil other functions. It is as much yours as anyone's. There are a few examples in this collection but most of the programs are author-copyrighted freeware. Usually, the author insists that new users register the fact that they are using the application, usually by sending an e-mail or visiting the author's website, although there are occasional variations. Some of the applications included here, for example, are 'Cardware', which means that you must register the fact that you are using the product by sending a postcard to the author, which we find rather charming, and some is Donationware - the author would like you to donate to a charity of your choice if you use his/her software - a generous attitude. Freeware can be fabulous, often superior to similar products for which the user is expected to pay large sums. On the other hand, some freeware is pointless without being amusing, some simply doesn't work very well and some is downright destructive or unpleasant. This collection presents some of the finest examples we have found of applications that are either useful or amusing or a combination of those two attributes. We have taken great care to try out every single program and ensure that it was worth including and to make notes of any idiosyncrasies we encountered in cases where, apart from one little glitch, such as a program inserting multiple sample document files into My Documents during the installation, without giving them a folder to separate them from everything else already residing there. If the program is worthwhile in every other way, that is a minor bug worth accepting. We were caught unawares, but if you read the notes on this site for any given program, you will be forewarned and can be prepared in advance of starting the installation. WHO WOULD GIVE AWAY GOOD SOFTWARE?Many of the authors are people who have created an
application in frustration at the limitations of existing software when
using computers at work. Some create applications because the nearest equivalent solution to a
problem they wish to solve costs a large amount of money to purchase. They set out to see whether an alternative
can be produced and
succeed in proving that it can. Since they are not in the business of
selling software, they simply make it available to anyone and everyone
who would like to use it, provided that they do not do so for profit.
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