Why freeware???

[doneirik]

Dear Group,
As I was trying to convince afriend of mine to use more freeware
instead of e.g. microsoftproducts he asked me "why freeware?? there
must be a big "but" hidden somewhere since its for free...(...) ...and
what about all those viruses....???"

Actually I couldnt give him adefinite answer... I know there are lots
of different freeware butfor different reasons, but...

well , I was hoping someone in this group could help me out...


best regards
doneirik

 

[badgolferman]

doneirik, 3/28/2006, 3:22:43 PM,

Dear Group,
As I was trying to convince afriend of mine to use more freeware
instead of e.g. microsoftproducts he asked me "why freeware?? there
must be a big "but" hidden somewhere since its for free...(...) ...and
what about all those viruses....???"

Actually I couldnt give him adefinite answer... I know there are lots
of different freeware butfor different reasons, but...

well , I was hoping someone in this group could help me out...


best regards
doneirik

We had a similar conversation some time ago.
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.comp.freeware/browse_frm/thread/b4143
c7e99d5588/ad8f622ded7eba8e?q=you+get+what+you+pay+for&rnum=1#ad8f622ded
7eba8e
or
http://tinyurl.com/mwopd

 

[john]

There are 2 types of true free programs that do not have spyware or ads.
There are the free programs that the creator keeps the code closed
and there are the open source programs.

Tell your friend that there is a universal law that says if you give, you
will
receive. And that there are ways to have everything for free, however
there are many people who oppose this view and crated obstacles for personal
gain.

An example is Tesla's creation of free unlimited wireless power for all the
earth.
His investors pulled the plug once they understood that they would not
be able to put a "meter" on the system.

Linux is the opposite of addware and spyware and viruses.. yet it is free...
the reason why it has no bugs is because it is maintained by thousands of
programmers that do not allow such things to exist.

 

[El Bandolero]

Il 28 Mar 2006 12:22:43 -0800, doneirik ha scritto:

well , I was hoping someone in this group could help me out...

It is true that many 'freeware' are not fair!
That's why ACF is for
When I look for a new program, first I look here...
If I had done so in the past, I wouldn have got no spyware or adware

 

[Olaf Greck]

Well, something like:

Why does one help their friends for free and does not expect a return?
Because (most of the friends will return the favour anyway.

So freeware is a favour towards (in this case strangers) people how
have a need. Some of this people might/will return the favour thus one
has a benefit in the end.
It might not come back on a straight line but typically via various
intermediate persons.


just my 2c

best regards

Olaf

 

[P.]

Dear Group,
As I was trying to convince afriend of mine to use more freeware
instead of e.g. microsoftproducts he asked me "why freeware?? there
must be a big "but" hidden somewhere since its for free...(...) ...and
what about all those viruses....???"

Actually I couldnt give him adefinite answer... I know there are lots
of different freeware butfor different reasons, but...

well , I was hoping someone in this group could help me out...

I use freeware because I want programs to usually do one thing and do it
well. Freeware fulfils that better than the alternatives for what I need.

P.

 

[Chakolate]

Dear Group,
As I was trying to convince afriend of mine to use more freeware
instead of e.g. microsoftproducts he asked me "why freeware?? there
must be a big "but" hidden somewhere since its for free...(...) ...and
what about all those viruses....???"

Actually I couldnt give him adefinite answer... I know there are lots
of different freeware butfor different reasons, but...

well , I was hoping someone in this group could help me out...

My mom used to say the same thing - people of her generation (she was
pushing 80 at the time) just felt that you get what you pay for.

I told her that freeware was basically a labor of love for somebody, who
once he/she had made something good, wanted to share it, mostly out of
pride in his/her accomplishment.

Chak

 

[Jim]

I told her that freeware was basically a labor of love for somebody,
who once he/she had made something good, wanted to share it, mostly
out of pride in his/her accomplishment.

Ask your friend about the cookies their Mom made. She would share them
with whomever; their school, some old folks home, some religious group, etc.

Did any of those folks ever say no thanks, not for me, I want to buy all
my cookies over at the store?

-Jim

 

[Lou]

Well, something like:

Why does one help their friends for free and does not expect a return?
Because (most of the friends will return the favour anyway.

So freeware is a favour towards (in this case strangers) people how
have a need. Some of this people might/will return the favour thus one
has a benefit in the end.
It might not come back on a straight line but typically via various
intermediate persons.

just my 2c

best regards

Olaf

Actually research has shown that many people help others because they feel
good for doing it. Applies to many volunteers.

Lou

 

[Dale]

Creates more personal and giving/receiving environment and attitude of
trust.

Most of us have necessare utilities to test for viruses, etc. I have
not experienced or heard from others of difficulties here.

Dale

 

[Duddits]

Dear Group,
As I was trying to convince afriend of mine to use more freeware
instead of e.g. microsoftproducts he asked me "why freeware?? there
must be a big "but" hidden somewhere since its for free...(...) ...and
what about all those viruses....???"

Actually I couldnt give him adefinite answer... I know there are lots
of different freeware butfor different reasons, but...

well , I was hoping someone in this group could help me out...


best regards
doneirik

One word answer = Value.
Open Office
PhotoFiltre
TrueCrypt
40tude Dialog
Mozilla Thunderbird
would cost ~$200+ to replace with retail software.

'nuff said

Dud

 

[jb]

Dear Group,
As I was trying to convince afriend of mine to use more freeware
instead of e.g. microsoftproducts he asked me "why freeware?? there
must be a big "but" hidden somewhere since its for free...(...) ...and
what about all those viruses....???"

Actually I couldnt give him adefinite answer... I know there are lots
of different freeware butfor different reasons, but...

well , I was hoping someone in this group could help me out...


best regards
doneirik

Most freeware authors do it for fun.

 

[John Fitzsimons]

Dear Group,

As I was trying to convince afriend of mine to use more freeware

Why bother ? If someone wants to waste money then let them.

instead of e.g. microsoftproducts he asked me "why freeware??

Does he/she have a learning disability ? Or are they hopelessly
affluent ? He/she doesn't know why something that is free, and
legal, might be better than an equivalent item that costs money ?

there
must be a big "but" hidden somewhere since its for free...(...)

Guess the concept of generosity is a new one for him/her. Some people
like to help other people without needing to get a financial reward.

...and what about all those viruses....???"

What viruses ? I thought you said "freeware". Not "warez". In any case
doesn't he/she use a virus checker ? Sounds like they should stay with
payware.

Actually I couldnt give him adefinite answer... I know there are lots
of different freeware butfor different reasons, but...

well , I was hoping someone in this group could help me out...

There are plenty of people here who are happy to help "you" out. Your
"friend" however is probably beyond help.

Regards, John.

 

[Why Tea]

As I was trying to convince afriend of mine to use more freeware

instead of e.g. microsoftproducts he asked me "why freeware?? there
must be a big "but" hidden somewhere since its for free...(...) ...and

I think it's a fair question to ask. It's like, "if sounds too good,
then it generally is".

No doubt there are many excellent genuine freeware with nothing
whatsoever attached. But there are also many with hidden agenda.

 

[jb]

I think it's a fair question to ask. It's like, "if sounds too good,
then it generally is".

No doubt there are many excellent genuine freeware with nothing
whatsoever attached. But there are also many with hidden agenda.

That's why freeware should be redefined as "doesn't alter anything."

 

[Jesse Spencer]

well , I was hoping someone in this group could help me out...


best regards
doneirik

I find that using software that does a specific job as opposed to
"do it all" commercial stuff is more reliable.
A lot of freeware does is like that.
I prefer Kana reminder and a few other small utilities to something like
outlook, but an office environment may wish to restrict the learning curve.

 

[Jesse Spencer]

No doubt there are many excellent genuine freeware with nothing
whatsoever attached. But there are also many with hidden agenda.

True. Let the "buyer" beware.
A very good reason to visit this group!

 

[Watanye]

Dear Group,
As I was trying to convince afriend of mine to use more freeware
instead of e.g. microsoftproducts he asked me "why freeware?? there
must be a big "but" hidden somewhere since its for free...(...) ...and
what about all those viruses....???"

Actually I couldnt give him adefinite answer... I know there are lots
of different freeware butfor different reasons, but...

well , I was hoping someone in this group could help me out...


best regards
doneirik

Sounds like a Troll, as this question was asked yesterday, but...

The term _Free_ seems to bring up all kinds of questions with the
public. I have placed sale items on display in the stores I used to
work in, only to have people ask me what was wrong with it. Nothing.
It's actually at a reduced price to get people to buy it. Of course you
can buy all the software you like if you have the money. But how many
people actually get what they want? I myself have purchased software:

1 Only to have the operating system change, no option of installing my
old OS, and the software I owned now completely useless.

2 Found the software useless after purchasing, because of sketchy or
obscure descriptions and no trial or demo to see if I liked it. I make
it my policy to not purchase software without a trial, because non-trial
never works and you can't return it.

3 After trial and testing gotten what I wanted only to find something
better after I paid. Usually in A.C.F.

4 Looking through the lists of software that is out there, had a chance
to pick up something and look it over only to find other uses I could
put it to.

5 Invest in software only to have the company quit development, and no
longer offer support for the last versions. As a result removing all
the downloads from their site.

There is also the factor of not being able to afford anything commercial.

 

[John Rampling]

I myself have purchased software:

1 Only to have the operating system change, no option of installing my old
OS, and the software I owned now completely useless.

2 Found the software useless after purchasing, because of sketchy or
obscure descriptions and no trial or demo to see if I liked it. I make it
my policy to not purchase software without a trial, because non-trial
never works and you can't return it.

3 After trial and testing gotten what I wanted only to find something
better after I paid. Usually in A.C.F.

4 Looking through the lists of software that is out there, had a chance to
pick up something and look it over only to find other uses I could put it
to.

5 Invest in software only to have the company quit development, and no
longer offer support for the last versions. As a result removing all the
downloads from their site.

There is also the factor of not being able to afford anything commercial.

And you could have added
6 Since it's free, there's no point in bloating out the package to make
it look like better value. So freeware makes less demand on disk space
(although there are exceptions e.g. Real Player)

John

 

[Morten Skarstad]

doneirik skrev:

As I was trying to convince afriend of mine to use more freeware
instead of e.g. microsoftproducts he asked me "why freeware??

Uhm, duh! I'd start by turning the question around to "Why pay?" But of
course, if your friend is so full of dosh I do believe that a lot of
freeware authors are open to donations.

there
must be a big "but" hidden somewhere since its for free...(...)

Well, sure. It's usually harder to find commercial support. That is, it
is harder to pay someone you can sue in case something breaks. This is
really important to some corporations, especially in the states.
Personally, I couldn't give a crap.

And sometimes quality software costs money. But then again a lot of
really crappy software also costs money. And there's a lot of crappy
free software, but there are some true gems as well. Some free software
even outclasses and outperforms commercial counterparts, which should
make the choice a no-brainer. Apparently, it does not.

...and
what about all those viruses....???"

Which ones? I have _never_ gotten a virus from downloading and
installing a piece of free software. There are some "free" programs that
comes bundled with additional programs with varying degrees of
malevolence, but these can be spotted and avoided with a little
research. And in the case of open source software, I estimate the
chances of getting infected from OSS considerably smaller than the
chance of getting infected from something you pick up in a sealed box
from any software retailer.

Actually I couldnt give him adefinite answer... I know there are lots
of different freeware butfor different reasons, but...

There is no definite answer. The bottom line is: Know what you need, and
know which alternatives may or may not suit your needs. If the best
piece of software for a given job has a big zero on the pricetag, the
choice is simple. If you have something commercial in sight, and there
are no available free substitutes, the choice is also simple. After
that, it's all cost and effect.