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What is Shareware?
by Dan Housley
What is Shareware?
Shareware is software that you can try before you buy. Software developers
post
trial versions of their software on websites. Consumers can then
download the
trial version to their computer and evaluate it. If the consumer
likes the software
they can purchase it. Shareware is also called try before you buy.
Today almost
every big software company including Microsoft, Winzip, and AOL use
trial
versions or a form of shareware to market their software.
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Why is shareware better than any
other marketing method? Shareware is a good
way to market software. It allows consumers to evaluate an application
prior to
making a purchase decision. They can easily determine if it meets
their business
or personal needs, which usually results to a satisfied customer.
In addition
because shareware companies are often small they can provide personalized
service that is not found in larger companies. Shareware also allows
for instant
gratification, there is no need to wait for a shipment. Consumers
can download
and use the software immediately.
Freeware vs. Shareware. As you know
shareware is a marketing method for
software. Freeware is also a way of marketing software. However,
freeware is
free so the developer does not ever request any money. Shareware
is free to
distribute but cannot be used for an unlimited amount of time, unless
the
developer is paid. Freeware can be used an unlimited amount of time
and can
be freely distributed; payment is not required. Many developers use
freeware
to draw attention to their shareware applications.
What is software piracy? There are
several kinds of software piracy. One kind
of software piracy is hacking into software and disabling the copy
protection.
Software pirates then distribute or sell the hacked software. The
developer
does not receive any money for the software the hacker distributed.
This is an infringement onthe developer's copyright. Another technique
used by hackers
is to illegally obtain a registered copy of software. Pirates purchase
the software
once and use it on multiple computers. Purchasing software with a
stolen credit
card is another form of software piracy. Unfortunately there are
many kinds of
software piracy that has slowed the industry's growth. In order for
developers
to continue to develop software and provide support the software
needs to be
profitable.
Registration Incentives - A registration
incentive is something that makes the
person using the shareware version of the software want to buy.There
are a
number of incentives developers use to encourage users to buy. One
popular regstration incentive is to limit the time of the trial
version. This is clever
because then the user can't use the shareware version forever. It
encourages
them to buy the software so they can continue to use it when the
trial period
is over.
Often shareware versions will
have "grayed out" features
on the menu that the
consumer can see, but not use. Typically there is a pop-up windows
in the
software encouraging users to register in order to take advantage
of the
additional features. This is a popular registration method because
if the person
wants to do more things with the program, then they are forced to
buy the
registered version of the software.
Developers also provide support incentives.
The shareware version of software
will have everything the registered version has, however, if a person
buys the
registered version of the software he/she will receive tech support,
newsletters,
and upgrades. Developers can also limit the number of times you can
use the
shareware version of the product. The trial version may expire after
10 uses
meaning the user has to register if they wish to continue using the
software.
Shareware now and how the term changed
-Though the meaning of the term
shareware has not changed the perception of shareware has evolved
since it
began. At first when you had a shareware program there was a note
that asked
for a donation. Now you are required to pay for the registered version
of the
shareware program. The shareware industry has also evolved and grown
into
a billion dollar industry.
About the Author: Dan Housley is
currently a student intern at NotePage, Inc.,
http://www.notepage.net developers of SMS/wireless messaging software &
Software Marketing Resource, http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com
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