New FREEWARE definition proposal

[ss_spa]

I agree, if we can also exclude adware and spyware, as Alastair said
already.

How bout if person X hacks an adware version of software to remove the
ads and/or spyware? Do you now consider it freeware?
Some of the posters here think that software like this should be
listed as freeware, and added/kept in the priceless ware page (kazaa
lite).

tim

 

[Spooka]

|But why do you rule out illegally obtained software? Just curious.

It is just a moral call on my part. I think cracks, warez and such are
wrong and are stealing. I know there are people that think these things
are ok to use. I don't things like adware, nagware, crippleware fall into
this same category. No matter what someone here at ACF has for
"freeware" they are still basically honest. I doubt many of us that would
use/suggest adware, nagware, crippleware would break the law by using
cracks or warez.

 

[Blinky the Shark]

<news:[email protected]>:

Well, no.

But why do you rule out illegally obtained software? Just curious.

Did school just get out, somewhere, for a major holiday? Seems like the
incidence of people who've been here for 18 hours or so and are already
trying to rearrange the furniture has taken a sharp climb, this week.

 

[Derald Martin]

I would like to propose for discussion the following as the definition
of freeware:

Why? Unless you are in advertising, what's your point? I've always
wondered what starts this kind of simple-minded bullshit, anyway, so
won't you tell? Or, alternatively, just shut up about it? That would be
very nice, too...

 

[Blinky the Shark]

I would like to propose for discussion the following as the definition
of freeware:

I propose that you go start alt.shitware, where you can hang out with
all of the shitware peddlers you could ever dream of.

 

[Gord McFee]

On Thu, 23 Oct 2003 12:17:53 -0400, in



That seems like a fair definition. I quote it:

<quote>

Freeware: Legally obtainable software that you may use at no cost, monetary
or otherwise, for as long as you wish.

</quote>

That would seem to mean that if I have a piece of software that I can
obtain and use legally for free, version after version, as long as I want, it
is freeware.

This ware definition seems more informative:

Trialware: software which stops working after a period of time or number
of uses.[/QUOTE]

Point taken. I am not trying to argue this; after all, it is quite
unimportant in the overall scheme of things.

Thanks.

[...]

 

[Gord McFee]

On 23 Oct 2003, Gord McFee wrote

Where do you find "version after version" in there?

Where do you find version at all? Most software evolves through different
versions. It's still the same product.

Either something is legally obtained and usable for no cost
indefinitely, or it's not. Where do versions come into that?

See above.

 

[Gord McFee]

Yep. The only change needed could be the Dialog situation but as
a time unlimited freeware version is not far away I see little point
in changing what we have already.

Agreed.

I think I'll drop this thread. I am not trying to get the fighting going
again and I am afraid that is exactly what I have done.

 

[enicholssprint]

Me, ditto!

yeah me too...!

 

[Vic Dura]

It strikes me that if there is, as Vic implies, a significant number
of readers who agree with his definition then why doesn't one of them
start their own 'freeware' newsgroup?

Whoa there friend. I never said that there were a significant number
of people that *agree with me*. I'm just saying there are a
significant number of people that *disagree* with the definitions in
the various FAQs. My proposed definition is made with the hope of
eliminating the contentiousness inherent in what is IMO an overly
complicated definition.

 

[Vic Dura]

Well, no.

But why do you rule out illegally obtained software? Just curious.

Because it's illegal?

 

[Vic Dura]

How bout if person X hacks an adware version of software to remove the
ads and/or spyware? Do you now consider it freeware?
Some of the posters here think that software like this should be
listed as freeware, and added/kept in the priceless ware page (kazaa
lite).

Is the hacking permitted by the EULA? If so, then the hack is legal
and not pirated. If not in agreement with the EULA then it's illegal.

 

[Aaron]

Did school just get out, somewhere, for a major holiday? Seems like the
incidence of people who've been here for 18 hours or so and are already
trying to rearrange the furniture has taken a sharp climb, this week.

How many hours do you need to be here before you can "rearrange the
furniture" Blinky? Or do we need to rack up x number of "Thanks, <insert
your name> " before we can comment?



Aaron (my email is not munged!)

 

[stan]

Yep. The only change needed could be the Dialog situation but as
a time unlimited freeware version is not far away I see little point
in changing what we have already.

Regards, John.

I agree also, current definitions are ok, but
dialog should be allowed somehow?

 

[Alan]

How many hours do you need to be here before you can "rearrange the
furniture" Blinky? Or do we need to rack up x number of "Thanks,
<insert your name> " before we can comment?

Lurk long enough and the question will answer itself, grasshopper.
Meantime, check out
http://www.mcfedries.com/Ramblings/usenet-netiquette.asp#LurkBeforeYouLe
ap

And this link
http://www.mcfedries.com/Ramblings/usenet-netiquette.asp#AvoidingFollow-
upFauxPas
will show why "Thanks, <insert your name> " replies are not a good idea
either.

 

[Aaron]

And this link
http://www.mcfedries.com/Ramblings/usenet- netiquette.asp#AvoidingFollow-
upFauxPas
will show why "Thanks, <insert your name> " replies are not a good idea
either.

Well, that doesnt seem to stop you from mentioning it....

http://groups.google.com/groups?
q=blinky+freeware+thanks++aaron&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8
&[email protected]&rnum=2

http://groups.google.com/groups?q=blinky+freeware+%
22thanks+blinky&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8
&[email protected]&rnum=1




Aaron (my email is not munged!)

 

[Blinky the Shark]

How many hours do you need to be here before you can "rearrange the
furniture" Blinky? Or do we need to rack up x number of "Thanks, <insert
your name> " before we can comment?

I"ll start the bidding at x>18 hours.

 

[Antoine]

Agreed.

Agreed to.

I think I'll drop this thread. I am not trying to get the
fighting going again and I am afraid that is exactly what I have
done.

So do I but it is sometimes good to express one's opinions so as to let
people like Susan or John know that their point of view is shared.

 

[Alan]

Well, that doesnt seem to stop you from mentioning it....

http://groups.google.com/groups?
q=blinky+freeware+thanks++aaron&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8
&[email protected]&rnum=2

http://groups.google.com/groups?q=blinky+freeware+%
22thanks+blinky&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8
&[email protected]&rnum=1

Sad. No clue. And purely in the interests of keeping the flotsam skimmed
off...

[PLONK]