shareware

share·ware

S0319850 (shâr′wâr′)n. Copyrighted software that is available free of charge on a trial basis, usually with the condition that users pay a fee for continued use and support.

shareware

(ˈʃɛəˌwɛə) n (Computer Science) computing software available to all users without the need for a licence and for which a token fee is requested

share•ware

(ˈʃɛərˌwɛər)
n. computer software distributed without initial charge but for which the user is encouraged to pay a nominal fee to cover support for continued use. [1980–85]

Thesaurus

Noun

shareware - software that is available free of charge; may be distributed for evaluation with a fee requested for additional features or a manual etc.software, software package, software program, software system, computer software, package - (computer science) written programs or procedures or rules and associated documentation pertaining to the operation of a computer system and that are stored in read/write memory; "the market for software is expected to expand"

Translations

logiciel à contributionpartagicielsharewaresoftware a contribuzione volontaria

shareware

[′sher‚wer] (computer science) Copyrighted software that can be tried before buying.

shareware

(software)/sheir'weir/ Software that, like freeware, canbe usually obtained (downloaded) and redistributed for free,but most often is under copyright and does legally require apayment in the EULA, at least beyond the evaluation periodor for commercial applications. This payment, as well asfulfilling the user's legal obligations, may buy additionalsupport, documentation, or functionality. Generally, source code for shareware programs is not available. Shareware issometimes also nagware and/or crippleware, which muddlesthe term and is frowned upon in the community.

See also careware, charityware, guiltware,postcardware, and -ware; compare payware.

shareware

Software on the "honor system." The concept is that users try a product, and if they like it, they voluntarily pay a set registration fee or make a donation to the program's creator. There are tens of thousands of shareware programs; some fantastic, some awful.

Typically written part time by individuals, shareware had its heyday in the 1980s and early 1990s. Although some applications were successful, the bulk were not, and most shareware evolved into trial versions that work for a limited time or lite versions that have limited functionality (see trialware and lite version).

The Shareware Heydays
Prior to the Web, "shareware vendors" copied hundreds of shareware programs onto floppy disks and CD-ROMs and sold them by mail order or at computer flea markets. They collected a small fee for the distribution service, although novices often thought it was the software registration fee. In the late 1990s, advertiser-supported shareware websites sprang up to provide distribution. See crippleware, freeware, public domain software, ad-supported software and wares.

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Words related to shareware

noun software that is available free of charge

Related Words