MPARTICLE $`p?G TR@ ] 9::'N |WK?< ' The following are descriptions of &the various types of freely'distributable software available from &public domain libraries, bulletin'boards, user groups, your friends etc. &In all cases when you receive'software in this way you should check &to see what conditions have been'placed on it's release. Copies of &disks of commercial software,'(software which comes in boxes and is 'bought in shops, such as computer 'games), is NOT allowed to be passed on 'in this way - it is illegal and you can be arrested for it.' Read any documentation that came 'with the software, any messages shown 'on the screen when it's run and if it 'has menus or buttons check them for an '"About" or similar message. In all 'cases try and work out what conditions 'the author has placed on their work and respect them.' If you are producing software a 'message when it is first run stating 'it's type and conditions seems the 'most sensible way of ensuring people 'know what you want. Do this even if 'it's just for the public domain and &you don't want anything more'whatsoever to do with the thing. PD 'software that doesn't announce the 'fact it is PD is a nuisance - how can &we be sure it's PD? And games'producers, you dorks, use the mouse 'button for closing condition message &windows - the joystick may be on auto- fire! Public Domain Software... (Software without copyright) ' PUBLIC DOMAIN software refers to 'any computer software released by it's 'makers into the public domain without ©right. This software may be'freely copied and passed on to others. &You may also modify it as you see'fit. However, just because a piece of 'software has no copyright notice does ¬ make it public domain. No'software is public domain unless the &producers of it have specifically stated it is. Freeware...' (Copyrighted freely distributable software) ' FREEWARE is copyrighted software 'that may also be freely copied and 'passed on to others as with public 'domain software. Restrictions however 'are usually placed on it by the makers 'such as no modifications being allowed 'or no commercial uses without the 'permission of the authors. It may 'also be withdrawn from circulation by 'it's makers if they so wish. Always 'read the documentation of freeware %before using it or passing on a copy. Shareware... (Try before you buy software) & SHAREWARE is an alternative to'normal commercial software. As with 'freeware and public domain software it 'can be copied and passed on to others 'and like freeware it is copyrighted. 'Your use of it however is restricted 'to testing it to see if it's what you 'want. If you find you do want to use &it you are expected to pay the'shareware fee to the author. The &amount of the fee, the author's'address and often their phone number, 'fax number and electronic mail number &is usually included in the'accompanying documentation that came 'with the shareware or in the software 'itself. Payment may also get you an 'upgraded version of the software known 'as the registered version. These 'registered versions are usually not to 'be copied and passed on. Ensure that 'you respect this. And always read the 'documentation of any shareware before testing it or passing on a copy. Otherwares... ' There are many other variations of &freely distributable software.'GIFTWARE - similar to shareware but 'you are expected to send the author a 'gift instead of payment. CHARITYWARE '- you are expected to give a donation 'to a charity of the author's choice, 'or perhaps your own. WORTHWARE - you 'send the author what you believe their 'software is worth. BEERWARE - you 'have to buy the author a round should 'you meet him, etc., etc., etc. In 'all cases read the documentation of &all the software you receive and'follow the wishes of the authors. You &will find some cases where the'conditions are somewhat confusing such 'as statements that the software is ©righted but also public domain.'In those cases try to suss out what %the author means and act accordingly. What's PD?: Page 1 of 3 Index What's PD?: Page 2 of 3 Index What's PD?: Page 3 of 3 Index Help!