11:40 AM
Kinsz
So, exactly what is mac freeware?
The phrase "Freeware" is regularly used across the internet but quite often incorrectly. I suspect that the cause of the confusion is down to the person that first coined the phrase "Freeware" and included "Free" in it. The term itself does give the belief that it can used however you like. It's free after all? Regrettably "Freeware" doesn't mean Free
With Freeware the author still retains the rights to the software and the software is still licensed but they allow you the license for an unlimited time with no cost. The software license usually restricts the usage in some way so that, for instance, the core files are not allowed to be modified, or you are not allowed to re-distribute the software or take any payment for making the software available for download.
What's the point of this? Why not just give it away?
There is usually a purpose for why the developer has chosen to allow you to use this software for free. For example, the developer wants you to use a 'Lite' version of the software and be so impressed with it that you buy the full pro version or they want you to go to their website to download it where they hope to tempt you with other goods.
Does this mean that Freeware is bad? No. How can something that you can use for free be bad?
null so they might have an agenda behind creating and distributing the software but you still get to utilise it for free for as long as you like so long as you stick to the license agreement. Maybe the lite version is enough for your needs but if you are tempted by the pro version at least you have had a good (Free) chance to review the lite version.
So what kind of software is absolutely free?
Completely free software is know as "Free Software" but this again is a term that has become misused so I would double check by reading any licences or small print before using it as a base to develop your own software.
Just to keep you straight, here are a couple of other terms that are used that may lead you to think that the software is "Free"
Shareware - This type of software you can distribute as much as you like as long as you don't take payment or modify the source code. The big difference between this and Freeware is that the license to use the software only last for a limited time (usually 30 days) after which you need to make a payment to continue using it.
Open Source - You can modify and distribute this software however much you like. You can use it to create your own software packages and some of the best software around is open source software. What you can not do is sell this software or any software that you develop from it. You must also always credit the original author of the software and leave any credit tags embedded within it.
The phrase "Freeware" is regularly used across the internet but quite often incorrectly. I suspect that the cause of the confusion is down to the person that first coined the phrase "Freeware" and included "Free" in it. The term itself does give the belief that it can used however you like. It's free after all? Regrettably "Freeware" doesn't mean Free
With Freeware the author still retains the rights to the software and the software is still licensed but they allow you the license for an unlimited time with no cost. The software license usually restricts the usage in some way so that, for instance, the core files are not allowed to be modified, or you are not allowed to re-distribute the software or take any payment for making the software available for download.
What's the point of this? Why not just give it away?
There is usually a purpose for why the developer has chosen to allow you to use this software for free. For example, the developer wants you to use a 'Lite' version of the software and be so impressed with it that you buy the full pro version or they want you to go to their website to download it where they hope to tempt you with other goods.
Does this mean that Freeware is bad? No. How can something that you can use for free be bad?
null so they might have an agenda behind creating and distributing the software but you still get to utilise it for free for as long as you like so long as you stick to the license agreement. Maybe the lite version is enough for your needs but if you are tempted by the pro version at least you have had a good (Free) chance to review the lite version.
So what kind of software is absolutely free?
Completely free software is know as "Free Software" but this again is a term that has become misused so I would double check by reading any licences or small print before using it as a base to develop your own software.
Just to keep you straight, here are a couple of other terms that are used that may lead you to think that the software is "Free"
Shareware - This type of software you can distribute as much as you like as long as you don't take payment or modify the source code. The big difference between this and Freeware is that the license to use the software only last for a limited time (usually 30 days) after which you need to make a payment to continue using it.
Open Source - You can modify and distribute this software however much you like. You can use it to create your own software packages and some of the best software around is open source software. What you can not do is sell this software or any software that you develop from it. You must also always credit the original author of the software and leave any credit tags embedded within it.
About the Author:
Apple Mac Freeware is the best resource of Free Mac Software on the internet. You won't find any Shareware or paid software listed on our website just 100% Free Software for Mac.
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