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{{Distinguish|Free software}}
{{Distinguish|Free software}}


'''Freeware''' (from "free" and "software") is [[computer software]] that is available for use at no cost or for an optional fee.<ref>"[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freeware Freeware]" (2010). ''Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary''. Accessed January 13, 2010.</ref> This is in contrast to [[commercial software]], which is typically sold for profit. The term does not imply that the software is [[free and open source software]] (FOSS). Freeware is a loosely defined category, which includes both closed and open source [[proprietary software]]. [[Adware|Advertising-supported software]] and even [[malware|malicious software]] is sometimes advertised as freeware. Terms of use for a freeware are usually defined in a unique software license and they may be very different for every single software.
'''Freeware''' (from "free" and "software") is [[computer software]] that is available for use at no cost or for an optional fee.<ref>"[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freeware Freeware]" (2010). ''Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary''. Accessed January 13, 2010.</ref> This is in contrast to [[commercial software]], which is typically sold for profit. The term does not imply that the software is [[free and open source software]] (FOSS). Freeware is a loosely defined category, which includes both closed and open source [[proprietary software]].


==History==
==History==

Revision as of 22:25, 13 February 2011

Not to be confused with Free software.

Freeware (from "free" and "software") is computer software that is available for use at no cost or for an optional fee.[1] This is in contrast to commercial software, which is typically sold for profit. The term does not imply that the software is free and open source software (FOSS). Freeware is a loosely defined category, which includes both closed and open source proprietary software.

History

The term freeware was coined by Andrew Fluegelman when he wanted to sell a communications program named PC-Talk that he had created but for which he did not wish to use traditional methods of distribution because of their cost.[2] Fluegelman actually distributed PC-Talk via a process now referred to as shareware. Current use of the term freeware does not necessarily match the original concept by Andrew Fluegelman.

Criteria

Software classified as freeware is licensed at no cost and is either fully functional for an unlimited time; or has only basic functions enabled with a fully functional version available commercially or as shareware.[3] In contrast to free software, the author usually restricts one or more rights of the user to copy, distribute, and make derivative works of the software.[4] The software license may impose additional restrictions on the type of use including personal use, individual use, non-profit use, non-commercial use, academic use, commercial use or any combination of these. For instance, the license may be "free for personal, non-commercial use".

The Free Software Foundation (FSF) has requested that people avoid referring to true Free Software as "freeware".[5] Members of FOSS community believe that "freedom to use" implies that the end user is free study, and modify, and distribute the software with minimal restriction. Freeware is also distinct from shareware; the latter obliges the user to pay after some trial period or to gain additional functionality.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Freeware" (2010). Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Accessed January 13, 2010.
  2. ^ Fisher.hu
  3. ^ Dixon, Rod (2004). Open Source Software Law. Artech House. p. 4. ISBN 9781580537193. Retrieved 2009-03-16. On the other hand, freeware does not require any payment from the licensee or end-user, but it is not precisely free software, despite the fact that to an end-user the software is acquired in what appears to be an identical manner.
  4. ^ Graham, Lawrence D (1999). Legal battles that shaped the computer industry. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 175. ISBN 9781567201789. Retrieved 2009-03-16. Freeware, however, is generally only free in terms of price; the author typically retains all other rights, including the rights to copy, distribute, and make derivative works from the software.
  5. ^ FSF.org
  6. ^ The Linux Information Project (2006-10-22). "Freeware Definition". Retrieved 2009-06-12.


Quelle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special%3ADiff%2F413768284