8
IT-Theory-LB-Gr10.indb 8
Shareware
Shareware is copyright software distributed
free of charge, but after a trial period it
notifies the user that they might need to pay
for the program if they want to keep it. Some
developers distribute shareware with a
built-in expiration date, for example after 30
days the user can no longer use the
program, while other types of shareware are
limited in terms of what functionality it offers
unless you buy the complete program.
Examples of shareware would be DVD-Cloner,
Total Privacy, Easy Movie Splitter and Adobe
Acrobat Reader. Some computer games only
give you access to the first three levels.
The advantage of shareware is that it gives
the distributor exposure while giving the user
time to decide whether they want to spend
money on the program or not.
The main disadvantages are that it cannot be
modified and may be a cut-down or allow for
a temporary version.
Type of
software
Description
Examples
Advantages
Disadvantages
It can contain viruses and Trojan
horses that affect the way the
computer functions.
The main advantage of freeware is
that it is free. It is also easily
accessible and generally comes with
the files you need in order to use the
program.
Examples of freeware is Mozilla
Firefox and Google Chrome, the
voice-over-IP service Skype, and the
PDF file reader Adobe Acrobat
Freeware software is available to
you, free of charge. However, the
developers or company that
distributes the software keeps the
rights to the software.
Freeware
Table 1.1: Shareware, freeware, free open source software (FOSS) and proprietary software
The software can expose your computer to
viruses and other cyber-attacks.
Open software might not be as user-friendly
especially to unskilled users. It is often
difficult to find proper technical support or
find drivers for some devices.
Collaborators can improve the performance
or even add features of good quality and
well-designed software.
Since the source is available to anyone, the
public can collaborate and fix bugs.
It is free and you do not need to pay for
using it, which saves you money.
Linux kernel, Gimp, Firefox, Chromium and
LibreOffice
Open source software has a source code
that is available to the public or anyone that
wants to use it. It also allows the user to
change or modify the code itself if need be.
You can also distribute this type of software
to anyone and for any purpose.
Free open source software
This software costs money, and
if there are any technical issues,
you will have to wait for the
developer to address the
problem.
Proprietary software is more
stable and technical support is
easier to access.
Examples of proprietary software
would be Microsoft Office,
Windows, antivirus software and
most computer games
All computer software is
developed using a source code.
This code is the original design
or technical blueprint used to
create the program. Proprietary
software, is where the source
code is not given to the public or
the user. It still belongs to the
distributor or developer, even if
you have bought the program.
Proprietary
When a program is developed, the developers decide whether the code is proprietary or open source
software (OSS). The table below explains more about open source software.
infoRmation tecHnoLogY I GraDe 10 I Theory Book
2020/01/16 12:35