Free software

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Freeware (a.k.a., free software) is software that is available at no cost to the user, now or ever. Developers often cover their development costs by running ads on their sites or accepting donations from users via PayPal or other means.

Freeware is generally only available in its final form and cannot be modified by the user, which is what differentiates it from "free software" or open-source software, where users are allowed and often encouraged to make modifications and improvements and redistribute it.

Andrew Fluegelman is credited with first popularizing the term freeware when looking for ways to distribute his communications software PC-Talk without using traditional costly means of distribution. Freeware is commonly available on the Internet for download, and such digital distribution cuts cost of sales down to almost nothing beyond the bandwidth used to transmit it.

Freeware programs can be almost anything, from screensavers to system utilities to media players to security applications.

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Latest blogosphere posts tagged “Free software”

  • A response to "free software major league or minor?": Unjustifie...


    Linux/Unix News - motd.ambians.comAuthority Authority: 460
    Free Software Magazine: "I just read Terry Hancock’s artilce on Is free software major league or minor?. Great article...However, I disagree strongly on several points that your article raises. I’ll take it point by point in an effort to not misrepresent your views and keep focussed on the statements that you ...
    7 hours ago
  • A response to "free software major league or minor?": Unjustifie...


    Computer & Internet - computer-internet.marc8.comAuthority Authority: 460
    Free Software Magazine: "I just read Terry Hancock’s artilce on Is free software major league or minor?. Great article...However, I disagree strongly on several points that your article raises. I’ll take it point by point in an effort to not misrepresent your views and keep focussed on the statements that you ...
    7 hours ago
  • Convert video formats on your Mac for free


    Shufflegazine - Apple Lifestyle MagazineAuthority Authority: 630
    Earlier today I received a dinosaur JVC camera with a truck load of video clips. We are traveling to Lebanon to have our annual seminar on the beautiful mountains of Farya and somebody had to make a fun video intro for our office. Since I still did not learn to say “no” easily, it ended up on my desk. After ...
    8 hours ago
  • iRingTones Allows You To Create iPhone Ringtones


    TechnofriendsAuthority Authority: 140
    If you are looking out for a free software to create iPhone Ringtone, you can try out iRingTones . iRingtones provides a graphical approach to using the freely available Nero AAC Encoder. It uses the Nero AAC Encoder to convert a standard WAV file into an iPhone compliant M4R ringtone, adds the ringtone to the ...
    10 hours ago
  • Downloading Skype: where’s the full install program?


    Hands-on Technical TipsAuthority Authority: 113
    I notice that Skype now allows you to download their “install” package that actually isn’t the full install program.  So, here’s a link to download the full package so that you can use it to install on multiple computers: Skype 4.0:   http://download.skype.com/partner/trackable259/SkypeSetupFull.exe   ...
    14 hours ago
  • Free Panda Cloud Antivirus Download


    The Freebie BloggerAuthority Authority: 614
    Click here to download Panda Cloud Antivirus for free.  International. Related Posts: Avery Wizard Holiday Edition Free Download McAfee Virus Scan w/Site Advisor Free 12 Month Trial
    16 hours ago
  • Why FOSS Matters to Me (But Maybe Not to You)


    Computer & Internet - computer-internet.marc8.comAuthority Authority: 460
    Datamation: "The Free Software Foundation is having a video contest on the subject "Why is free software important to you?" Its a timely topic, with Windows 7 just out and with the free software communitys bickering so bitter as of late that common goals sometimes seem in danger of being forgotten"
    21 hours ago
  • "Intellectual Property" a Violation of Real Property


    Libervis.com - Technology Enthusiasts Building LibertyAuthority Authority: 98
    Unless you really want to believe in something you know is a lie you probably wont be inclined to believe people who express inconsistent ideas. Free Software or Open Source Software have has been typically attacked by people who do appear to believe quite strongly in property ownership. If you create something, they ...
    21 hours ago
  • The Shopping Genie FREE Software Saves up 70% and Make Money Giving it Away


    Internet Marketing and Shopping ResourcesAuthority Authority: 137
    H ave you got this Yet? The myshoppinggenie featured no CNN does what it says: I recently downloaded the myshoppinggenie toolbar,(it’s free) and I was browsing the lowest prices on items in minutes. I watched the CNN news insert Bargin Hunting and Sue Goldstien says this is one place “ to go to save the ...
    22 hours ago
  • Avery Wizard Holiday Edition Free Download


    The Freebie BloggerAuthority Authority: 614
    Avery is offering a free download of Avery Wizard Holiday Edition  for Microsoft Office. Download includes holiday templates for gift tags, holiday greetings, and more. International. Related Posts: Free Software Bundle For Macs McAfee Virus Scan w/Site Advisor Free 12 Month Trial
    1 day ago
  • AVS Media Player


    SoftZillaAuthority Authority: 134
    AVS Media Player 3.1.1.172 Release Date: 2009-10-1 AVS Media Player 3.1.1.172 File Size: 19.1 MB / Windows 2K / XP / 2003 / Vista AVS Media Player Website Download Free AVS Media Player 3.1.1.172 AVS Media Player is an easy-to-use application with a simple user-friendly interface allowing you ...
    1 day ago
  • Online Bass Lessons: Study With The Best Teachers In The World


    Free Sites PlusAuthority Authority: 134
    by Darryl Andrews Maybe you’re a fan of Flea of the Chili Peppers, or Sting, or Paul McCartney. Bass can be almost as prestigious as drums, the bass is more important to a bands sound than the drums are. Drums set the tempo, but bass truly sets the groove of the song. It’s both rhythmic and melodic. Take a ...
    1 day ago
  • Proprietary software is a black hole of knowledge universe: Why all knowledge should be free


    P2P FoundationAuthority Authority: 582
    Excerpt from a longer text (introducing free software to an Indian audience) by Nagarjuna . Why all knowledge should be free? Let us take a blank CD and take its mass on a balance. Now, having recorded its mass, let us copy about 700MB of software or any digital documents into it. Record its mass after it is ...
    1 day ago
  • Kindle For PC App In Beta


    Latest Gadget & Tech NewsAuthority Authority: 164
    With the Barnes & Noble Nook getting a good reception, Amazon certainly isn’t going to sit back and let things be. After the Iphone Kindle app, there is the Kindle for PC app, albeit it’s still in Beta. While the app won’t support other formats aside from Kindle ebooks, it&rsq… hitachi plasma tv ...
    1 day ago
  • Verizon working on Droid and Droid Eris firmware updates


    Latest Gadget & Tech NewsAuthority Authority: 164
    Verizon Wireless seems to be hard at work with a couple of firmware updates for both the Droid and Droid Eris smartphones, acording to leaked documents that point towards five pages for Motorola’s device alongside seven pages for the HTC model. Good news is, at least one of the two firmware updates… music ...
    1 day ago
  • Motorola Droid shifts 100,000 units


    Latest Gadget & Tech NewsAuthority Authority: 164
    Motorola’s Droid has managed to shift more than 100,000 units by its first weekend, which is more or less half the available stock in teh market at the moment. With more and more smartphones being powered by the Android OS, Motorola hopes that renewed interest in the Google-powered segment will see… motorola ...
    1 day ago
  • Freshrolling prevents expiry dates from happening


    Latest Gadget & Tech NewsAuthority Authority: 164
    Having a well-stocked fridge is always a good thing, as it allows you to entertain guests any day of the day without worrying what to serve them. Unfortunately for some of us, what remains out of sight is plus out of mind, which means items that were previously well stocked could end up being well … plasma hdtv ...
    1 day ago
  • A response to "free software major league or minor?": Unjustified dismissal?


    Free Software Magazine -Authority Authority: 456
    I just read Terry Hancock’s artilce on Is free software major league or minor? . Great article, and I’m very glad to see articulate discussion about these core subjects. Not enough is said about these matters. However, I disagree strongly on several points that your article raises. I’ll take it point by point ...
    1 day ago
  • Are You In Sync?


    Crazy World of GAuthority Authority: 110
    I personally don’t sync many files. I guess I’m just one of those kinds of people that don’t have the need. In fact, the only file I sync is my music folder. What can I say. I’m a music nut. I have hundreds of albums on my computer and the thought of a hard disk meltdown causes me nightmares. Like I ...
    1 day ago
  • Download Zonelink SystemUp Utilities 2009 – All 7 Products With Free License


    Technically Personal!Authority Authority: 560
    This is HUGE! And I am not sure till when this offer will be valid, so grab it while you can. Zonelink SystemUp Utilities 2009 has 7 different products under its belt and each one costs € 9.99, so the overall cost would be € 70 almost. The products include Windows Styler , Registry Cleaner , Diskspace Manager ...
    1 day ago

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