Why freeware

[el.bandolero]

I only recently have discovered the world of freeware.
In the beginning I thought freeware was very specialized software built
to accomplish very specific task not available in commercial software,
like DVD Shrink.

Then I discovered alt.comp.freeware, softpedia and other freeware
sites. At the moment I have installed at home on my PC ONLY freeware
like Openoffice, Irfanview, The Gimp etc etc. Even an excellent
freeware CAD that opens and edits DWG files
http://www.tucows.com/preview/395682
actually a clone of Autocad.

My wife and me have a question: why freeware...

Any idea is welcome

ciao
El Bandolero

 

[Dave Turner]

My wife and me have a question: why freeware...
There are many reasons. Basically it's just an alternative business/sales
model. For example sometimes a developer might make a small utility that's
useful but probably too small for anybody to pay for, so rather than
charging for it the developer releases it for free, and in return he gets
traffic - people to his site, which in turn may look at the non-freeware
programs.

 

[Why Tea]

My wife and me have a question: why freeware...

There are people who believe software should be free. Some probably do
it as a service to the community. Some do it to attract users to their
paid software...

I don't believe freeware is the solution to everything, but there are
undoubtedly a lot of good ones out there.

 

[George]

The previous 2 reasons are correct. There is a third reason. Some
companies release a free beta version so that that they can have it
tested for free. Once the bugs are eliminated, they make it shareware.
There are a number of individuals that create software for themselves
and decide to release it so it is free.

 

[meow2222]

I only recently have discovered the world of freeware.
In the beginning I thought freeware was very specialized software built
to accomplish very specific task not available in commercial software,
like DVD Shrink.

Then I discovered alt.comp.freeware, softpedia and other freeware
sites. At the moment I have installed at home on my PC ONLY freeware
like Openoffice, Irfanview, The Gimp etc etc. Even an excellent
freeware CAD that opens and edits DWG files
http://www.tucows.com/preview/395682
actually a clone of Autocad.

My wife and me have a question: why freeware...

Any idea is welcome

ciao
El Bandolero

recommend Total Uninstall to avoid regrets.

NT

 

[Al Klein]

The previous 2 reasons are correct. There is a third reason. Some
companies release a free beta version so that that they can have it
tested for free.

And a fourth reason - some of us just like writing software, and like
sharing it. I get paid for writing what's needed all day ... when I'm
doing it at home I write fun stuff, and anyone who wants it can have
it.

 

[Lou]

And a fourth reason - some of us just like writing software, and like
sharing it. I get paid for writing what's needed all day ... when I'm
doing it at home I write fun stuff, and anyone who wants it can have
it.

Neat reply, makes great sense/
Your free stuff is where please?

Lou

 

[Al Klein]

Neat reply, makes great sense/
Your free stuff is where please?

Mostly on a "you need it, I'll write it and post it on my web site
for you" basis. So far, about the only thing I still have up that
anyone might be interested in is a program to stream alpha text from
Uniden scanners and a little police scanner database that really needs
to be totally redone. Oh, and a little database to keep readings if
you're diabetic. If I get rich and independent I'll spend more time
writing freeware, but I've only done about 50 programs or so over the
decades (since about 1977). I write that much for money in any 2
weeks, which is what's nice about writing freeware - absolutely no
pressure. Even if there's a bug, it's probably worth more than you
paid for it.