Definitions of Software Types

The following definitions of software types are used in the descriptions:

Public Domain Software

Public domain software may be freely copied and used in any way without restriction or payment of registration fees.

Copyrighted Free Software

Copyrighted free software may be downloaded and used without paying for it. Some use and copying restrictions may apply.

Shareware

Shareware is copyrighted "try before you buy" software. You may download shareware and use it free for an evaluation period (usually 30 days). If you use it beyond the evaluation period, you are required to pay the program author to continue using the software.

Evaluation Version

An evaluation version is copyrighted software that is free to download and use. Some evaluation versions have only a few features disabled and are very useful programs. Others have many features disabled and are little more than ads for the full version.

Commercial Software

Commercial software is copyrighted, and you have to buy it before you can use it. It usually is provided on diskettes or CDs and often comes with printed manuals.

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Last updated 8-3-2001