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There is software available on the Web that can either be downloaded for free, or downloaded for a small fee that you are expected to pay on an honors system. The first of these categories is commonly called "Freeware"; the second is called "Shareware". Shareware is often offered with an explicit grace period in which you can try the software for free; if you continue to use the software after that, you are expected to pay the shareware fee. Typical shareware fees are in the $10-$50 range.

Licensing Agreements

Shareware and freeware both often come with licensing agreements: the software is only free or available at the quoted shareware price if particular restrictions are observed. For example, a typical restriction is that the software cannot be incorporated into a commercial product. Another common licensing agreement may restrict the software to individual or educational users. Notice that software sometimes comes in several versions. In the most extreme examples there may be freeware versions, shareware versions with extended capabilities, and a fully commercial version with additional features (or, perhaps, pseudofeatures---caveat emptor).

Pay the Fees!

Paying for shareware is an honors system, but the writers of good shareware are more than deserving of the small fees that they request. Try the shareware out for free, but if you continue to use it register and pay the fees (downloaded shareware typically comes with README files that explain what to do; often the software will print a registration form for you). As an added bonus, when you pay the shareware fee you often receive further useful material such as a user's manual or upgrade information.

Note that in addition to prices for individual copies, there may be a flat price for a "site license" that allows any number of copies of the software to be used at a single site such as a school. Also, since shareware writers as a group are clearly generous souls, you may be able to negotiate a reduced price for an educational application if you ask.

Sources of Freeware and Shareware

There are many archives that can be accessed by Web browser or by anonymous FTP that specialize in freeware and shareware for microcomputers.

For Windows software, the files will often be archived and compressed in zip files, so you will need a program such as WinZip installed on your computer to expand the files into usable form.