What is Shareware?

   Shareware is an alternative distribution method for programmers to get
   their work in front of the public.  Where the normal store-based
   distribution requires lots and lots of cash or selling your product
   to a major distribution house, Shareware is grass roots capitalism at
   its best... the author puts it in front of the public directly, and
   if they like it, they buy it.

   Shareware is NOT free.  Shareware programs are copyrighted just like
   the programs you find in stores.  If you use them, you are expected to
   pay for them.  And the programs often offer even more functions if you
   do register them.

   The truly nice thing about Shareware is that you are NOT buying a
   "pig in a poke" like when you buy software in a store.  You are able to
   check out Shareware programs to insure that they are what you are
   looking for.  Oftentimes, you will find shareware programs to be equal
   to or exceeding the quality of commercially produced software.

   But it requires YOU to make the process work.

   Everyone expects to be compensated for their hard work.  If you put in a
   day's work for your employer, you expect to be paid for it, right?  If
   you sell someone something, you expect that the check is going to be good.
   You probably wouldn't bother to do something for someone if you figured
   that they were going to forget you existed as soon as you are done, would
   you?

   But that is exactly what happens when Shareware isn't registered.  The
   author, after having put countless hours into putting out good software,
   finds that they aren't recompensed for their work.  It's not only unfair,
   but it hurts everyone, including the people that don't pay.  How?  Simple.
   If no one gets paid for their shareware efforts, why should they bother
   to make anything else, or improve what they have done?  What eventually
   happens is that the flow of Shareware dries up, and then you have no
   option but to trek down to the local computer store, plunk down a large
   pile of cash on a program that you haven't seen run, and hope like heck
   that it works right, because they have a no-software-returns policy
   posted.  Get the idea?

   Registering Shareware is the only honorable thing to do.

   Some think that if they buy a shareware disc from a disc vendor, buy
   a CD-ROM disc with programs on it, or download a program from a
   Bulletin Board Service, that the program is "free."  However, that is
   simply not true.  Disk vendors, CD-ROM publishers, and SysOps are simply
   acting as a distribution method for the shareware authors, helping both
   the end users and the shareware authors to get together and get the
   transactions moving.  Please bear that in mind.  It doesn't matter if
   you bought a disk from a vendor, picked up a CD-ROM disc at your local
   flea market, or paid for a subscription and downloaded this from your
   favorite BBS... you still are legally obligated and honorbound to abide
   by the author's wishes in this regard.

   Support the shareware authors... they support you!