Freeware vs Shareware vs Open Source
Posted on 2:57 AM | By MOHD NOOR RIZAL BIN ARBAIN | In New Knowledge
Freeware vs Shareware vs Open Source
What are the differences between three models of "free" software, and why does it matter?
| FREEWARE | SHAREWARE | OPEN SOURCE |
| Freeware as "software which can be downloaded, used, and copied without restrictions." [1]
Freeware (from "free" and "software") is computer software that is available for use at no cost or for an optional fee.[3] | Can download and try shareware for free, but if you use it, you are supposed to pay for it. [1]
The user does not have access to the source code and cannot modify it[1]
The term shareware (also known as trialware or demoware) refers to proprietary software that is provided to users without payment on a trial basis and is often limited by any combination of functionality, availability or convenience.[3] | Open source means that the source code is available to all potential users, and they are free to use, modify, and re-distribute the source code [1]
Open source describes practices in production and development that promote access to the end product's source materials.[3] |
Open source doesn't just mean access to the source code. The distribution terms of open-source software must comply with the following criteria:[2]
1. Free Redistribution
2. Source Code
3. Derived Works
4. Integrity of The Author's Source Code
5. No Discrimination Against Persons or Groups
6. No Discrimination Against Fields of Endeavor
7. Distribution of License
8. License Must Not Be Specific to a Product
9. License Must Not Restrict Other Software
10. License Must Be Technology-Neutral
Source:
1. Si Chen, http://opensourcestrategies.blogspot.com/2005/09/freeware-vs-shareware-vs-open-source.html, Tuesday, September 13, 2005.
2. Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 License, http://www.opensource.org/docs/definition.php, Sunday, November 28, 2010.
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freeware, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shareware, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_source, Sunday, November 28, 2010.
Comments (0)
Post a Comment