Freeware software is free and copyrighted, but cannot be used to develop new software. It differs from shareware, which is a limited version with an expiration date. Freeware can be for entertainment or productivity and is available for desktops, laptops, and handheld devices. It is ideal for those who cannot afford paid software and often offers more features. Freeware can be downloaded and installed, even with a dial-up connection.
Freeware software is software that is offered free to the public. The software is easy to obtain and can be downloaded and shared at will. Because freeware is copyrighted, it is not possible for anyone other than the copyright holder to use programming related to the software in the development of a new software product, a trait that distinguishes this form of software from any software programming considered to be in the public domain.
Many people assume that freeware software is the same as shareware software. However, that’s not the case. Shareware is usually a limited version of a full software package that is made available for use during a trial period. Often, these limited releases have some kind of automatic expiration date built into the code. When that date arrives, the shareware stops working, although the product still offers the user the opportunity to purchase the full version.
There are many different types of freeware available today. Some of these products are purely for entertainment purposes, such as simple games, including interactive puzzles. Other forms of freeware are structured to function as word processing software, spreadsheet builders, accounting databases, and even presentation software. There are freeware products that allow you to open and read documents in specific formats, as well as some freeware software that are ideal for creating different types of templates.
In the past, freeware software tended to be configured for use on desktop and laptop computers. In recent years, PDA, or personal data assistant, freeware has been developed for use with a variety of handheld devices. Freeware products work well with other forms of software and can sometimes use fewer resources than similar products which can cost a lot of money.
Since freeware software does not cost anything, it is ideal for people who need the functions it provides, but cannot afford paid software options which tend to be quite expensive. There are some instances where freeware products offer a wider range of features, such as allowing users to save documents in a wider range of file types. Students, as well as people on a fixed income, often find that freeware software provides everything they need and requires little or no extra time to learn how to make the most of the features.
Many freeware software products are available via download. Depending on the file size, it may take some time to download and install the product. However, even people who access the Internet using a dial-up connection will likely find that the time spent downloading is easily compensated for by purchasing a no-cost product that offers all the features of significantly more expensive software.
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