- The term "freeware" was coined in 1982 by Andrew Fluegelman to describe a communications program called PC-Talk that he created and wanted to sell. However, he actually distributed it using a process now called shareware. - Freeware refers to software that is available for use at no cost, though it is typically closed source. In contrast, free software grants users specific freedoms under an open source license. While both are free to use, freeware restricts usage and modification rights. - Popular examples of freeware include Adobe Reader and Skype, while free software examples include Firefox, Linux, and GNU utilities. Freeware authors want to benefit the community but retain control, whereas free

2.  The term freeware was coined by Andrew
Fluegelman , when he wanted to sell in 1982 a
communications program named PC-Talk that he
had created.
 Fluegelman actually distributed PC-Talk via a
process now referred to as shareware.
 current use of the term freeware does not
necessarily match the original concept by Andrew
Fluegelman.

3.  According to the Free Software
Foundation, "freeware" is a loosely defined category
and it has no clear accepted definition, although FSF
says it must be distinguished from free software.
 Popular examples of closed-source freeware include
Adobe Reader, Free Studio and Skype , Adobe
PDF, Google Talk, yahoo messenger, MSN
messenger….
 The term freeware was used often in the 1980s and
1990s for programs released , with source code not
available.
 Authors of freeware often want to "give something to
the community", but also want to retain control of any
future development of the software.

4.  software that is available for use at no
monetary cost or for an optional fee but
usually closed source with one or more
restricted usage rights.
 contrast to commercial software, which is
typically sold for profit
 but might be distributed for a business or
commercial purpose in the aim to expand the
market share of a "premium" product.

5. FREE SOFTWARE
 Free Software Foundation defines free software as
software that gives its users the freedom to
share, study and modify it.
 It has no copyright or other restrictions for
distributing, modifying and using the software in any
way.
 Mozilla Firefox, vim, pidgin, GNU Coreutils, Linux
kernel.
 Copyright GNU General Public License or
sometime similar.
 For example, a software developer may choose to
make her software available for download and use on
her website. This software may be freeware if
downloaded for personal use but commercial use
may require a fee. In either case, if it is prohibited to
freely distribute (for any purpose) or modify the

6. FREEWARE V. FREE SOFTWARE
 The "free" in "freeware" refers to the price of the
software, which is typically proprietary and distributed
without source code.
 the "free" in "free software" refers to freedoms granted
users under the software license (for example, to
modify and redistribute the program to others), and
such software may be sold at a price.
 freeware is defined only by its price, the term may also
refer to public domain software.
 Some freeware products are released alongside
separate paid versions with more or better features.
This approach is known as freemium ("free" +
"premium"), since the free version is intended as a

8.  User license or EULA (End User License Agreement) is
an important part of freeware. Each license is specific
to the freeware. Copyright laws are also applicable to
Freeware.
 freeware is licensed at no cost and is either fully
functional for an unlimited time.
 the author usually restricts one or more rights of the
user, including the rights to copy, distribute, modify and
make derivative works of the software or extract the
source code.
 The software license may impose additional
restrictions on the type of use including personal use
, non-commercial use , non – military use etc….

9. METHOD OF DISTRIBUTION
 Freeware cannot economically rely on
commercial promotion.
 internet is the primary resource for
information on which freeware is
available, useful, and is not malware.
 However, there are also many computer
magazines or newspapers that provide
ratings for freeware and include compact
discs or other storage media containing
freeware.

11. CRITICISMS
 lack of support if a program does not run
properly.
 Some freeware have inbuilt advertisements,
through which adware may get installed in
the users system.

14. COMPARISON CHART
PARTICULARS
FREEWARE SHAREWARE
ABOUT Freeware refers to
software that anyone can
download from the
Internet and use for free.
Sharewares give users a
chance to try the software
before buying it.
INCEPTION he term freeware was first
used by Andrew
Fluegelman in 1982, when
he wanted to sell a
communications program
named PC-Talk.
In 1982, Bob Wallace
produced PC-Write, a
word processor, and
distributed it as a
shareware. The term was
first used in 1970, in
InfoWorld magazine.

15. License and Copyright User license or EULA
(End User License
Agreement) is an
important part of
freeware. Each
license is specific to
the freeware.
Copyright laws are
also applicable to
Freeware.
Copyright laws also apply
to Shareware but the
copyright holder or author
holds all the rights, with a
few specific exceptions.
Features
All the features are
free.
Most of the times, all
features are not available,
or have limited use. To
use all the features of the
software, user has to
purchase the software.
Distribution
Freeware programs
can be distributed free
of cost.
Shareware may or may
not be distributed freely. In
many cases, author’s
permission is needed, to

16. Example
Adobe PDF, Google
Talk, yahoo messenger,
MSN messenger
Winzip, Cuteftp, Getright