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WHAT IS SHAREWARE?
What is Shareware?
Why Pay For Software I Already Have?
But, Didn't I Already Pay for the Program When I Bought the Disk?
What If I Don't Like the Evaluation Version?
What About Viruses In Software?
Why Do Authors Use Shareware to Distribute Their Programs?
- What is Shareware?
- Shareware is a marketing method, not a type of software
or even strictly just a distribution method. When software is marketed through normal
retail channels, you are forced to pay for the product before you've even seen it. The
Shareware marketing method lets you try a program before you buy it. Since you've tried
the program, you know whether it will meet your needs before you pay for it. A Shareware
program is just like a program you find in major stores, catalogs, and other places where
software is purchased; except you get to use it, on your own computer, before paying for
it.
- Why Pay For Software
I Already Have?
- Basically, for the same reason you should pay for any
program: because it is the honest thing to do. Shareware is commercial software, fully
protected by copyright laws. Like other business owners, shareware authors expect to earn
money for making their software available. In addition, by paying you may then be entitled
to additional functions, removal of time limiting or limits on use, removal of so-called
"nag" screens, and other things as defined in the documentation provided by the
program's author.
But, Didn't I Already Pay
for the Program When I Bought the Disk? - No. Shareware vendors distribute Shareware evaluation
versions of programs. They charge a small fee for the costs of disk duplication and
advertising, plus a small profit. The money paid to a Shareware vendor does not go to the
author. This includes shareware CD-ROMs which typically contain hundreds of evaluation
versions. These may be sold directly by vendors, distributed with magazines, sold as an
addition to a book, or otherwise distributed to you.
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What If I Don't Like
the Evaluation Version? - That's simple: just stop using it and remove it from
your computer system. Many shareware authors even provide a simple
"uninstall" feature that makes this easy. You've lost nothing but the small cost
of obtaining the evaluation version and the time involved in the evaluation.
What About Viruses In
Software? - The Shareware industry has an excellent track record
providing products that have been checked thoroughly for viruses. Shareware authors,
bulletin board and on-line service operators, as well as disk vendors, carefully scan
programs for viruses before offering them to consumers; so, a Shareware program will often
have more checks made on it than regular commercial software. Also, the compressed formats
used to transmit most Shareware programs tends to offer additional protection because each
compressed file comes with its own safety checksum to detect tampering.
Why Do Authors Use
Shareware to Distribute Their Programs? - Basically, it's efficient. Costs are generally less
than for software sold through traditional channels. Lower operating costs mean
shareware authors can concentrate on writing great programs, while often charging users
less. Shareware also allows authors to retain complete control. Microsoft and Netscape are
just two software companies that have recognized benefits of "try before buy"
distribution.
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