X
xtort
O/T read, but nevertheless interesting:
http://users.puzzling.org/users/mary/HOWTO/Free/
best,
xtort
[http://xtort.net]
http://users.puzzling.org/users/mary/HOWTO/Free/
best,
xtort
[http://xtort.net]
L
Looker007
If you have to PAY it's not FREEWARE but DONATIONWARE, SHAREWARE or PAYWARE.xtort said:
M
Michael Rainey
I think the idea is to pay with a thank you, a little bit of your time
testing or helping with the docs, positive feedback, etc. In other words,
not just all take, but a little give too.
As a (former) freeware author myself, the two things I've come to believe
about the computing masses:
They generally complain first and read the documentation later, if at all.
If it isn't free, they don't want it. Like, you know, they're "entitled".
testing or helping with the docs, positive feedback, etc. In other words,
not just all take, but a little give too.
As a (former) freeware author myself, the two things I've come to believe
about the computing masses:
They generally complain first and read the documentation later, if at all.
If it isn't free, they don't want it. Like, you know, they're "entitled".
Looker007 said:
R
Remove Underscores
Looker007 said:
Why dont you read the article before you post next time?
M
Mel
Interesting read, but doesn't that make it Barterware instead of
Freeware?
Z
ziba
Excellent article, with much food for thought. Thank you!
X
xtort
I dont know how far the dichotomizing can go; when we use things that
others made, there is already some sort of "bartering" taking place.
When I make something which others consider using, they are
contributing to the value of that object by just using it, taking
interest in it and finding it useful.So, in an abstract sense, there is
always an exchange of sorts between producer and consumer going on with
anything we consume in this life. Take this site for eg., a lot of
people have already "paid" many authors of free software in terms of
mention, praises, links, reviews, etc... So, there is already an
(non-monetary) exchange going on nevertheless here on ACF.
That said, I think that all the dichotomizing between different levels
of freeware really does no real good. Either something is freeware (you
dont have to pay for it, to use it forever), shareware (you have to pay
for it eventually), or some sort of malware which includes adware and
of course, spyware. Three classes are fine for me
Free, pay, or
bad.
Where it gets redundant to me, is when people start labeling software
as donationware, postcardware, etc... These labels to me dont really
mean much, if all the author is asking only once for a voluntary
contribution in a nice, non-invasive, non-nagging way. But, if there
are persistent nags, then the app should be classed under
"shareware",as you would eventually have to pay for it to avoid being
nagged to death.
best,
xtort
[http://xtort.net]
others made, there is already some sort of "bartering" taking place.
When I make something which others consider using, they are
contributing to the value of that object by just using it, taking
interest in it and finding it useful.So, in an abstract sense, there is
always an exchange of sorts between producer and consumer going on with
anything we consume in this life. Take this site for eg., a lot of
people have already "paid" many authors of free software in terms of
mention, praises, links, reviews, etc... So, there is already an
(non-monetary) exchange going on nevertheless here on ACF.
That said, I think that all the dichotomizing between different levels
of freeware really does no real good. Either something is freeware (you
dont have to pay for it, to use it forever), shareware (you have to pay
for it eventually), or some sort of malware which includes adware and
of course, spyware. Three classes are fine for me
Free, pay, orbad.
Where it gets redundant to me, is when people start labeling software
as donationware, postcardware, etc... These labels to me dont really
mean much, if all the author is asking only once for a voluntary
contribution in a nice, non-invasive, non-nagging way. But, if there
are persistent nags, then the app should be classed under
"shareware",as you would eventually have to pay for it to avoid being
nagged to death.
best,
xtort
[http://xtort.net]
V
Vic Dura
Good description.
Did you give up on writing freeware because you got tired of dealing
with whining ingrates?
M
Michael Rainey
Pretty much.
Now I charge enough to earn ten cents an hour for my time. I don't sell
very many copies, but the people who buy them clearly appreciate them.
Makes a world of difference.
I continue to support my old freeware.
Now I charge enough to earn ten cents an hour for my time. I don't sell
very many copies, but the people who buy them clearly appreciate them.
Makes a world of difference.
I continue to support my old freeware.