home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Precision Software Appli…tions Silver Collection 1
/
Precision Software Applications Silver Collection Volume One (PSM) (1993).iso
/
windows
/
games
/
jwlthf.arj
/
SHR-WARE.DOC
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1992-02-08
|
5KB
|
91 lines
W H A T I S S H A R E W A R E ?
---------------------------------------
Copyright (c) 1991 - 1992 by ServantWare.
All Rights Reserved.
Jewel Thief is a 'shareware' program. What does that mean? In short, Jewel
Thief is a copyrighted program which you may try and share with others but
after thirty days you must register Jewel Thief. Below is more explanation
of the shareware concept.
Some Definitions:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You've probably heard the terms "public domain", "freeware", "shareware",
and others like them. Your favorite BBS or disk vendor probably has many
programs described by one or more of these words. There's a lot of
confusion about and between these terms, but they actually have specific
meanings and implications. Once you understand them, you will have a much
easier time navigating the maze of programs available to you, and
understanding what your obligations are, or aren't, with each type of
program.
Let's start with some basic definitions.
"Public domain" has a very specific legal meaning. It means that the
creator of a work (in this case, software), who had legal ownership of that
work, has given up ownership and dedicated the work "to the public domain".
Once something is in the public domain, anyone can use it in any way they
choose, and the author has no control over the use and cannot demand
payment for it.
"Copyrighted" is the opposite of public domain. A copyrighted program is
one where the author has asserted his or her legal right to control the
program's use and distribution by placing the legally required copyright
notices in the program and documentation. The law gives copyright owners
broad rights to restrict how their work is distributed, and provides for
penalties for those who violate these restrictions. When you find a program
which is copyrighted, you must use it in asccordance with the copyright
owner's restrictions regarding distribution and payment.
"Shareware" is copyrighted software which is distributed by authors through
bulletin boards, on-line services, disk vendors, and copies passed among
friends. It is commercial software which you are allowed to use and
evaluate before paying for it. This makes shareware the ultimate in money
back guarantees.
The Shareware Concept:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Most money back guarantees work like this: You pay for the product and then
have some period of time to try it out and see whether or not you like it.
If you don't like it or find that it doesn't do what you need, you return it
(undamaged) and at some point - which might take months - you get your money
back. Some software companies won't even let you try their product! In
order to qualify for a refund, the diskette envelope must have an unbroken
seal. With these "licensing" agreements, you only qualify for your money
back if you haven't tried the product.
With shareware you get to use the product for a limited time, without
spending a penny. You are able to use the software on your own system(s),
in your own special work environment, with no sales people looking over your
shoulder. If you decide not to continue using it, you throw it away and
forget all about it. No paperwork, phone calls, or correspondence to waste
your valuable time. If you do continue using it, then - and only then - do
you pay for it.
Shareware is a distribution method, NOT a type of software. Shareware is
produced by accomplished programmers, just like retail software. There is
good and bad shareware, just as there is good and bad retail software. The
primary difference between shareware and retail software is that with
shareware you know if it's good or bad BEFORE you pay for it.
As a software user, you benefit because you get to use the software to
determine whether it meets your needs before you pay for it, and authors
benefit because they are able to get their products into your hands without
the hundreds of thousands of dollars in expenses it takes to launch a
traditional retail software product. There are many programs on the market
today which would never have become available without the shareware
marketing method.
The shareware system and the continued availability of quality shareware
products depend on your willingness to register and pay for the shareware
you use. It's the registration fees you pay which allow us to support and
continue to develop our products.
Please show your support for shareware by registering those
programs you actually use and by passing them on to others.
Shareware is kept alive by YOUR support!