THE "SCOOP" ON SHAREWARE By Michael Perry In my previous article, I described what "Shareware" is and how the concept works. In essence, Shareware is a term coined to describe software that has been released for public distribution; a user has the ability to obtain a copy of the software for evaluation. If he/she finds that the software is a useful product and continues to use it, usually a "registration fee" is asked to be paid to the author of the package. Software considered to be "Shareware" is not limited to a particular category of computing - you will find Shareware products that can do just about anything most commercial products can. Most Shareware products however, are available for only a fraction of the price that a similar commercial product might cost. There are many different types of "Shareware" - and many new names have been created to describe the various types of software distributed as Shareware. There are two basic aspects of distributed software which vary from package to package - more often than not, these packages are referred to by other names such as FREEWARE, USERWARE, CRIPPLEWARE, etc. They all are generally classified as Shareware, but what makes them different are the terms of the licensing agreement, or sometimes the type of program they are. Unfortunately there is no "written in stone" standard for identifying Shareware and what is expected from the user, so ALWAYS be sure to read any included licensing agreement for the software package in question. Hopefully, through distribution of this document, many Shareware authors will abide by the descriptions listed below and appropriately label their software - which will make things much less confusing for all of us. SHAREWARE - the characteristics which identify such products 1. The user can freely obtain a copy of the product, and may freely redistribute the product, provided it's in its original form, with no missing files or references. 2. The product cannot be modified in any way unless otherwise stated. 3. If the user continues to use the product (after a reasonable "evaluation period"), the author ASKS that a fee or "donation" be made as remuneration for the author's efforts. This "registration fee" is not required or obligatory, but more often than not, there are perks for the user if he/she registers the software. Generally, the Shareware author relies on the honesty and benevolence of the user to "thank" the author for his contribution by registering the software and abiding by the terms of the licensing agreement. 4. In many cases, registered users will receive a "registered version" of the software, as well as information or other special considerations from the Shareware author. PUBLIC DOMAIN This is the only category that really doesn't fit into "Shareware". Public Domain software has been around long before the term Shareware was coined. A program labeled as Public Domain has been released to the the public, generally with NO limitations or associated licensing agreement. Public domain software can be freely copied, distributed, modified, or used in conjunction with other software. Source code released into the Public Domain can be used freely, with no royalties or any other consideration due to the code's author. As with every type of software, you should always be cautious - if you have a program labeled as "Public Domain" and there is no reference to its author, something is fishy. You might want to further investigate the possibility that the program may not be Public Domain - someone may have just placed that message in the program. Many Public Domain programs or source code authors will ask that you give them credit for their contribution if you incorporate it into something else. If they ask for donations or any money, then the program is not really Public Domain (solicitation is an identifying characteristic of Shareware). Here are some of the more commonly-used terms describing types of Shareware: FREEWARE Freeware is similar in nature to Public Domain software, in that the program or code is released into the Public Domain, except there may be slight limitations as to what can be done with the product. The identifying characteristics of Freeware are: 1. No remuneration or "donation" is asked for 2. The package can be freely distributed in its original form 3. The author may permit the user to modify the package, but once modified, the product cannot be redistributed without permission from the Freeware author. 4. If the user incorporates the Freeware product into another package, the Freeware author may ask to receive credit for his/her contribution (as in putting the author's name somewhere in the new product). LIMITWARE Limitware is Shareware with one difference. The Limitware product will be a fully functional program, but will have limitations with respect to the length of time the product can be used (before it ceases to function) or the amount of data that can be manipulated. This is a strategy used by Shareware authors to further encourage users to register their software. A user will generally have the necessary time and resources to fully evaluate the product and all of its features before the capabilities or functionality of the package becomes limited. For example, a Shareware program to maintain a telephone/name/address directory may be fully operational, except that you can only work with a maximum of 20 names in the database. If you opt to register the software, the author will send you a copy of the program allowing 2000 names in the database. Other Limitware programs may allow you to use the product for a finite number of days or months, or until a particular date in time is passed, from which point you will have to register in order to receive a version which will not include such limitations. CRIPPLEWARE Crippleware is like Limitware - the program is slightly modified from its original form for release as Shareware, and the user must register his product in order to receive a fully-operational copy, but Crippleware is modified for release differently than Limitware. A Crippleware program doesn't have limitations with respect to the time it can be used or amount of data it can work with; instead, one or more "key functions or features" will be unavailable in the Shareware release (alas, the program has been "crippled"). These "unavailable features" will almost always be on the program's menus, but upon selection, you user will generally receive a message such as "This feature is only available in the registered version." It is interesting to note that in these cases, the Shareware author has to be careful about what features are available and which ones should be left out to entice the user into registering. There is a fine line between enticing the user, and aggravating him in this "teasing" manner. USERWARE Userware is becoming the dominant type of Shareware these days. Most authors are now realizing that their products are being used by many more people than the ones that actually register. While this is certainly not a startling revelation, it can be a painful realization when the author becomes inundated by requests for support, comments, suggestions, and critiques from a plethora of un-registered users. In an effort to have a tighter reign over such activities, Userware has come into its own. Userware is Shareware with one outstanding difference: If you continue to use the software (after a specified or reasonable "evaluation period"), you must register yourself as a user (this is not optional). Any required registration fee is obligatory in order to continue using the product. It should be stated that in most cases, when you register a Shareware product and the author sends you a "registered version" - you CANNOT distribute your registered version as Shareware. There are also other types of "Wares" that you may run into - most all are Shareware/Userware, but because of the type of product, may be named differently: SOURCEWARE Sourceware is Shareware which usually includes the original source code for the application being distributed. In an effort to combat the intrusion of virus software, many more authors are including the source code to allow users to compile the program themselves - thereby seriously reducing the possibility of virus infections. The availability of source code also allows users to understand how the program works and benefit from the contributions of others (which is the underlying theme of the Shareware concept). It varies from package to package as to whether or not the user can take the source code and modify it for his/her own purposes - this practice is usually OK although as always, consult the author's licensing agreement. Much Sourceware is distributed as a form of "routines" which by themselves do not accomplish much, but are intended for analysis and incorporation into the user's programs. In a case where a user wants to use Source code from Shareware, a "fee" is usually due the author based on the intent the user has with respect to the product the Sourceware routines will be used in. For example, if you are developing a program for your own personal use, you might not have to pay as high a registration fee as an individual who desires to use the routines in a product that will be sold for profit. CRASHWARE I knew that inevitably someone would have to come up with new breed of software a bit too unusual for commercial distribution, but nonetheless useful. Crashware is Shareware whose purpose is to affect the functionality of other products. An example of a Crashware program would be one I've seen called STARFITE, which is used in conjunction with the commercial game called STARFLIGHT - an excellent science fiction conquest simulation. Starfite allows you to modify the characteristics of your ship in Starflight to become more powerful than possible during normal gameplay. While this may not seem fair, many games nowadays require that the user have an infinite amount of patience and diligence in order to accomplish anything. Crashware products make things easier. Packages that provide game hints and solutions, and programs which may remove copy protection can also be classified as Crashware. Crashware will undoubtedly be the black sheep of the Shareware family since some of the products that fit into this category are designed to undermine the efforts of legitimate Shareware and commercial authors. I urge all future Shareware authors to appropriately label their products according to their licensing terms and the descriptions covered in this document. I welcome any comments or criticisms. They should be addressed to: Progressive Computer Services P.O. Box 8721 New Orleans, LA 70122 Bulletin Board System (leave a comment to Sysop): 504-282-0634, 300-2400, 24h LICENSING AGREEMENT: This document is classified as FREEWARE - no fee or remuneration is due the author. You can freely distribute this package provided all files are in their original un-modified form. Furthermore you have my permission to reprint in whole or part, any portion of this article provided that the general theme and purpose is not upset, and that I receive credit where due (being represented as the author of the passage by name in the publication that will print this article). Additionally, a copy of any publication which contains any excerpt or portion of the article/information above should be sent to Progressive Computer Services at the address above. Thank you very much, Michael Perry President, Progressive Computer Services