Computer programs used, downloaded, and distributed without paying a fee Also known as shareware, it is distributed at no cost The user is eventually expected to pay a fee once he/she has decided to keep and use it
The best things in life are free Well, maybe--at least when it comes to software The good news is that you can copy, alter and distribute public domain software Just don't get it confused with freeware, which is distributed at no charge by the software author who retains the copyright, or shareware, which is available though a free trial download before you pay any fees
Software: in the early years of personal computers many developers produced useful computer products simply for the pleasure of doing so As they didn't want to be bothered with commercial distribution they put the products into the public domain, allowing the software to be distributed without cost Today there is almost no software distributed in this manner and computer users should be prepared to pay for the software they use Return to top of glossary
Software available for minimal or no charge Listings of public domain software can be found by contacting local and regional user groups, in many libraries, in national exchanges, and by contacting many of the resources listed in this publication
Any non-copyrighted program; this software is free and can be used without restriction Often confused with "freeware" (free software that is copyrighted by the author)