There are many software that you can obtain a variety of such sources by downloading from the internet or CD on the cover of a magazine you have purchased. You might think that this software is totally free and you can do what you like with it. Did any how nice, it would be that if all this software is really free, it is rarely the case.
If you see the documentation that accompanies along this software you will find generally that the software is labelled as Shareware, or is a trial version or demonstration . If so, then to use the software legally on an ongoing basis requires a supplementary payment to the owner of the software.
In each of these cases, the software that you has been provided so that you can evaluate the product and decide whether it is right for you before buying it. In the case of a demo version certain features key of the software such that save has been disabled in the version you have and you can try the functionality of the software to see what it is you cannot really do anything with the results.
A trial version is not as restrictive. Usually with a trial version you get all the features, but only for a limited number of uses or for a limited time, at the end of the use of the software will be convert in a demo version or is itself disable completely. The assumption either of these cases is that you get see what is the program and if you like what you then pay for the full version. In some cases the conversion just your demo or trial in the full version requires that enter you the code provided when you paid for the product in the program that you already have.
Shareware is exactly the same as trial or demo software that you are given permission to try the software for a limited period before buying it. The main difference between shareware and a trial version or demo is that the software can continue to function after the expiry of the trial period. This does not mean that you are legally entitled to continue to use the software, it simply means that the owner of the software is based on your honesty to pay for the software. Continue to use after the trial period of shareware and without pay is just as illegal as taking a copy of the software purchased from your buddy's computer and install on your own.
Then where is the software that get you on the internet or on the cover of the magazine really free CDs?
Well sometimes magazines are a special agreement with the owners of software to a free copy of an old version of their software on their CD with a special offer to upgrade to the full version. It is usually announced very clearly on the cover of the magazine and on the CD so therefore it should be clear when this is the case. One thing that I noticed recently on this type of software is that most of it requires that register you on the internet to be able to continue to use after a short trial period. This can make it difficult to install this "free" software on a computer without internet connection.
Other software which is free for you to use on your own computer should be clearly identified as Freeware, Public domain, or software subject to License GPL (GNU Public License). Any software so marked is available for you to use on your own computer and most of these software can also be copied and given to friends as well (but check for any restriction), particularly if you obtained the software on a CD. In the case of the software in the public domain, you can do what you want with the software, including selling (if you can find someone stupid enough to buy something that they can obtain free of charge). Software GPL can also be sold and even modified to perform additional functions. The only conditions to do anything with the software subject to the GPL is that the conditions of the GPL be respected which includes the requirements that source code is provided with the executable version and copies and modified versions are also distributed subject to the GPL license. Just because the software is freeware is not necessarily you gives the right to do what you like with it, the owner may have given you the right to a free copy you can run on your computer, but they may have retained all other rights associated with the program for themselves.
So just because you downloaded software of the internet or a magazine cover CD does not mean that the software is free, everything depends on the conditions of licence associated with the software.
All of the software not in public domain are subject to copyright. Copyright gives the owner of the software some rights on their software such as the right to make copies of the software, the right to modify the software and the right to sell the software. When you get a copy of software any by any means, the owner of the software retains these rights. What rights you get the software must be spelled out for you in the software licens.
Stephen Chapman runs a computer help to http://www.felgall.com/site
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