How free is freeware?

Free, it is just a very nice word to hear. You get something without giving anything first, who wouldn’t want that.  Incorporating the ‘free’ word with anything in this world is just what we all may be hoping for. And if that would come true, I couldn’t think of anything else that we might be asking for more. This is totally applicable to the ‘free’ stuff scattered over the Internet that is felt or getting availed by millions of users all over world. Movies, mp3s, books, applications - name it and maybe you’ll have what you want in a matter of time just by downloading all of them for free. There are already hundreds or maybe already millions of site that hosts this kind of action or letting others download stuffs for free. As for now, majority of us has had already freeware games or applications installed on our computers at home or at work. But what is really meant when we say ‘freeware’? How really ‘free’ it could be?

Defining freeware according to Wikipedia site, it is a computer software that is available for use with no cost or for an optional fee. Freeware is often made available in a binary-only, proprietary form, thus making it distinct from free software. Freeware allows authors to contribute something for the benefit of the community, while at the same time allowing them to retain control of the source code, future direction of development and preserve its business potential. Freeware is different from shareware, where the user is obliged to pay (e.g. after some trial period or for additional functionality). The term freeware was said to be thought up by Andrew Fluegelman when he wanted to sell a communications program named PC-Talk that he had created but for which he did not wish to use traditional methods of distribution because of their cost. 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.

A freeware could only be called as ‘freeware’ if that software is fully functional for an unlimited span of time without cost, monetary or else. The license of the software can inflict restrictions or limitations on how it should be used involving personal use, individual use, non-profit use, non-commercial use, academic use, commercial use or any combinations of the ones mentioned. Anything created with the freeware programs can be distributed at no cost such as graphics, documents, or sounds made by user. It is said that if ever you have played an online Java or Flash based games, you have used a freeware. The internet itself is also thought of as a freeware itself, an enormous collection of scripts, information, tools and resources that are, for the most part, absolutely free.

Open Source and Freeware

As to compare open source with freeware to understand the latter more, the difference between freeware and open source is that you do not have access to the source code legally. Organizationally making a difference, there is no community and no development infrastructure around "freeware" as there is around open source software. So while you can use freeware as it is, there is no possible way to develop it or get hold of sustaining it. 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. Legally, the "free" of open source refers exclusively to the source code, and it is possible to have support, services, documentation, and even binary versions which are not monetarily free.

Shareware and Freeware

Shareware is said to be another concept. You can download and try shareware for free, but if you use it, you are supposed to pay for it. It is developed and released by someone who keeps full control of the intellectual property. The user does not have access to the source code and cannot modify it. There is also no collaboration or community around shareware.

So the only difference between shareware and commercial software is that you can download and try shareware for free. Users are ultimately dependent on the developer of shareware for enhancements and support like other commercial software. Thus, shareware is "free" as in "Free Sample" that we see in malls.

But why does someone wants to work hard of something and just gives it for free? As said, Freeware is about programmers wanting to share what they've created with the world at large, be it a useful tool, a kick-ass game or even a simple script. Those people who create freeware like to share what they've made, and wanted to get some credit from the wider community for making something useful. So if ever you get to use a freeware next time, maybe it would not hurt if we give those ‘generous’ creators of freeware a dose of encouragements by visiting their site and leave them a message like, ‘keep up the good work’ or  ‘ you’re doing a great job’. Freeware programs are either distributed for the love of society, for prominence, or as stripped down versions of programs that cost money. For the most part, this is the realm of the independent, or "freelance," developer. Remarkably, some of the very best programs for use on the Internet are completely free. Most freeware, even though it's not commercially sold, is copyrighted by the author.

As to answer the question ‘Is freeware free?’ my answer would be yes. Yes, it is free in terms of we could be able to use it as long as we want without ever paying for it to use it for longer time or like forever. The only thing that makes it not ‘free’ in terms of you could completely own of it, is that is has its own imposed restrictions which controls its usage or how it should be properly used in spite of it being free. It has its other perimeter defined alongside with other stuffs that comes with a ‘free’ feature.