ITEC 65 - Lecture 7 - Freeware vs. Free Software vs. Shareware

josenpai

8 Jun 202419:00

Summary

TLDRLecture 7 delves into the distinctions between freeware, free software, and shareware, emphasizing their definitions, characteristics, and user freedoms. Freeware, while free to use, is proprietary and lacks source code access, unlike free software which upholds the four freedoms of use, study, modification, and distribution. Shareware offers a trial period but requires a license post-trial, remaining proprietary. The lecture concludes with an assignment to write an essay on the advantages and disadvantages of these software types, highlighting the importance of considering user freedoms and cost implications.

Takeaways

🆓 Freeware is software distributed without a fee, available as fully functional for an unlimited period, but is proprietary and cannot be redistributed.
🔄 Freeware, like Skype or Adobe Acrobat Reader, is free to use but the developer can change future releases to a paid product.
💾 The main difference between freeware and free software is that free software has available source code, allowing users to modify and distribute it.
🏛 Free software emphasizes liberty and freedom, not just the price, and includes the Four Freedoms: to run, copy, distribute, study, change, and improve the software.
📜 Free software can be distributed for a fee under certain licenses, like copyleft, but must always be available for free use, modification, and distribution.
📦 Shareware is proprietary software that offers a trial period, typically 15 to 30 days, after which the user must purchase a license to continue using it.
🚫 After the trial period, shareware expires and users cannot access it without purchasing a license, unlike free software which can be used indefinitely.
🔒 Shareware is not considered free software because it restricts modification and redistribution, and requires a license after the trial period.
🔑 Open source software is different from shareware as it can be downloaded, modified, and used for free without a trial period or license purchase.
📝 The assignment requires students to write a two-page essay discussing the advantages and disadvantages of freeware, free software, and shareware based on their own opinions.
📅 The deadline for the essay is June 14, and it should be formatted in A4 size, 1.5 line spacing, 10 font size, and justified margins.

Q & A

What is the primary characteristic of freeware?
-Freeware is software that is distributed without demanding a fee for its usage. It is available either as fully functional software for an unlimited period, with no restrictions on features.
Can freeware be redistributed?
-No, freeware typically cannot be redistributed because it is proprietary software. Developers may change future releases from freeware to a paid product if they wish.
What is the key difference between freeware and free software in terms of source code?
-The key difference is that free software provides access to the source code, allowing users to modify and distribute the software, while freeware does not provide source code access.
What does free software emphasize in terms of user freedom?
-Free software emphasizes the four freedoms: the freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change, and improve the software without limitations.
Can free software be distributed for a fee?
-Yes, free software can be distributed for a fee, but it must also be available for free under certain licenses, allowing users to enjoy the four freedoms.
What is shareware and how does it differ from freeware and free software?
-Shareware is a proprietary software that offers a trial period, usually 15 to 30 days, during which the full version is available for evaluation. After the trial period, a license must be purchased to continue using the software, unlike free software which can be used indefinitely without cost.
Is shareware considered free software?
-No, shareware is not considered free software because it requires a license purchase after the trial period, and users do not have the freedoms to modify and redistribute the software as they would with free software.
How does open-source software differ from shareware?
-Open-source software can be downloaded and modified for free, with the source code available for anyone to use and distribute. Shareware, on the other hand, requires a license purchase after a trial period and does not provide source code access or modification rights.
What are some examples of freeware mentioned in the script?
-Examples of freeware mentioned in the script include Skype and Adobe Acrobat Reader, which are fully functional but do not allow redistribution.
What are some examples of free software mentioned in the script?
-Examples of free software mentioned in the script include Linux and GNU Emacs, which provide users with the four freedoms, including the freedom to modify and redistribute the software.
What is the homework assignment for the lecture?
-The homework assignment is to create a two-page essay discussing the advantages and disadvantages of freeware, free software, and shareware, based on personal opinion rather than external research.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to Software Types: Freeware, Free Software, and Shareware

The lecture begins with a refresher on the definitions of freeware, free software, and shareware. Freeware is defined as software distributed without a fee, available as fully functional with no time limit, exemplified by Skype and Adobe Acrobat Reader. However, freeware is proprietary, meaning redistribution is not allowed. Free software, in contrast, emphasizes the freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change, and improve the software, with the availability of source code being a key difference. The concept of 'free' in free software refers to liberty, not necessarily price, and is governed by copyleft licenses. Shareware is described as proprietary software with a trial period, allowing users to use the full version for a limited time before requiring a license to continue use.

05:06

🔍 Main Differences Between Freeware, Free Software, and Shareware

This paragraph delves into the distinctions between freeware, free software, and shareware. Freeware, while free to use, is proprietary and does not allow modification or redistribution. Free software offers the freedom to modify and distribute without limitations, with the availability of source code being a fundamental aspect. Shareware is characterized by a trial period, after which a license must be purchased to continue using the software. It is not considered free software as it requires payment after the trial, and users do not have the freedom to modify the software. The paragraph clarifies that shareware is not open-source software, which allows for free modification and use without a license.

10:08

📝 Summary of Key Differences and Examples

The paragraph provides a summary of the differences between the software types, focusing on cost, payment models, source code access, and user freedoms. Freeware and free software are initially free to use, but free software offers the additional freedom to modify the software. Shareware is free for a trial period but requires a license for continued use. Examples are given for each type: Acrobat Reader and Skype as freeware, Linux and GNU Emacs as examples of free software, and WinRAR and WinZip as shareware. The paragraph concludes with a reiteration of the key differences, emphasizing the importance of the four freedoms in defining free software.

15:10

📖 Assignment: Essay on Advantages and Disadvantages of Software Types

The lecture concludes with an assignment for students to write a two-page essay discussing the advantages and disadvantages of freeware, free software, and shareware. Students are encouraged to think critically about these software types without additional research, based on their understanding from previous lessons. The essay should include a conclusion that addresses which type of software the student believes is better, with the understanding that there is no absolute answer to this question. The assignment is due by the following Friday, with specific formatting instructions provided, including A4 paper size, 1.5 line spacing, a font size of 10, and justified margins.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Freeware

Freeware refers to software that is distributed without requiring a fee for its use. It is typically available as fully functional for an unlimited period, but unlike free software, it is proprietary, meaning the source code is not available for modification or redistribution. In the script, examples of freeware include Skype and Adobe Acrobat Reader, which are free to use but do not allow redistribution or modification.

💡Free Software

Free software is software that grants users the freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change, and improve the software. It is characterized by the availability of the source code, allowing users to modify and redistribute the software without limitations, as long as the redistributed versions are under the same terms. The script emphasizes that free software is about liberty, not just the lack of a price, and is associated with the 'four freedoms' that define it.

💡Shareware

Shareware is a type of proprietary software that is initially provided for free for a trial period, typically ranging from 15 to 30 days. Users can use the full version of the software during this period before deciding whether to purchase a license to continue using it. After the trial period, the software expires, and users must buy a license to access it again. The script mentions that shareware is not free software because it requires a license after the trial period.

💡Proprietary Software

Proprietary software, as discussed in the script, is software that is owned by an individual or a company, and the source code is not made available to the public. Freeware and shareware are examples of proprietary software. Users do not have the freedom to modify or redistribute proprietary software without permission from the copyright holder.

💡Source Code

The source code is the original form of a computer program, written by programmers and from which an executable program is compiled. In the context of the script, free software provides access to its source code, allowing users to study, modify, and redistribute the software, whereas proprietary software, including freeware and shareware, does not provide access to the source code.

💡Four Freedoms

The 'Four Freedoms' mentioned in the script are the principles that define free software. They include the freedom to run the program for any purpose, to study and change the program, to redistribute copies, and to improve the program and release the improvements to the public. These freedoms are central to the philosophy of free software.

💡Copyleft

Copyleft is a licensing method used by free software to ensure that the freedoms granted by the license are preserved in derivative works. The script mentions copyleft in the context of free software, stating that any redistributed version of the software must be distributed under the original terms of free use, modification, and distribution.

💡Open Source Software

Open source software is similar to free software in that it allows users to access and modify the source code. However, the script clarifies that open source software may have different licensing conditions. It emphasizes the freedom to use the software in any way without paying for a license and the availability of the source code.

💡Trial Period

A trial period, as discussed in the script in relation to shareware, is a limited time during which users can evaluate the software before deciding to purchase it. This period is typically 15 to 30 days and allows users to use the full version of the software for free during that time.

💡User Freedoms

User freedoms, highlighted in the script, refer to the rights and liberties that users have with respect to software. Free software emphasizes these freedoms, allowing users to use, study, modify, and distribute the software. In contrast, freeware and shareware may restrict some of these freedoms, especially the freedom to modify and redistribute.

💡Acrobat Reader

Adobe Acrobat Reader, mentioned in the script as an example of freeware, is a software application used for viewing, printing, and managing Portable Document Format (PDF) files. It is free to use but, as proprietary software, does not allow users to modify or redistribute it.

Highlights

Lecture 7 focuses on comparing freeware, free software, and shareware.

Freeware is distributed without a fee and is fully functional for an unlimited period.

Examples of freeware include Skype and Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Freeware is proprietary software and redistribution is not allowed.

Free software emphasizes freedom and the availability of source code for modification.

Free software is about liberty, not necessarily the price.

Free software can be redistributed under the same terms of free use and modification.

Copyleft licenses are associated with free software distribution.

Shareware is proprietary software with a trial period, after which a license is required.

Shareware allows users to try the full version before deciding to purchase.

After the trial period, shareware expires and cannot be accessed without a license.

Shareware is not free software because it requires a license after the trial period.

Open-source software can be downloaded and modified for free, unlike shareware.

Free software emphasizes the Four Freedoms: use, study, modify, and distribute.

Freeware and shareware restrict user freedoms compared to free software.

The main differences between freeware, free software, and shareware are cost, source code access, and user freedoms.

Examples of freeware include Acrobat Reader and Skype, while Linux and GNU Emacs are examples of free software.

Shareware examples include trial versions of software like WinZip, which require a license after the trial period.

Homework assignment is to create a two-page essay discussing the advantages and disadvantages of freeware, free software, and shareware.

The essay should include a conclusion on which software type is better based on personal opinion.

The deadline for the essay is June 14, and it should be formatted in A4 size, 1.5 spacing, and a font size of 10.