What is Shareware? |
Shareware is a software distribution strategy. The strategy is to electronically distribute 'Try-Before-You-Buy' versions of software so that customers can audition (try) software before registering (paying for) the software.
Shareware is an interesting concept. The whole premise (unlike shrinkwrap software) is that you should be able to TRY a program BEFORE you buy it. With shrinkwrap software, you first try to figure out what you need, read about the various available programs, go to the store, purchase it, go home, break open that little "WARNING: ONCE THIS SEAL HAS BEEN BROKEN, THIS PRODUCT IS NON-RETURNABLE" seal, install the program, and hope that it is the program you needed. With Shareware, you figure out what you need, try a few programs until you find the one that best suits YOUR needs, and then pay the author for the right to continue using that program.