Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!bionet!vuvaxcom.bitnet!ACM
From: ACM@vuvaxcom.bitnet (Association for Computing Machinery)
Newsgroups: bionet.software
Subject: Public domain vs. Shareware software
Message-ID: <9007111918.AA05592@genbank.bio.net>
Date: 11 Jul 90 20:13:00 GMT
Sender: daemon@genbank.BIO.NET
Lines: 30

> Can someone tell me the difference between public domain software and
> shareware software?
> Are they the same?
>
> Thanks.
> Johan
> FS300512@YUSOL.bitnet

        Public domain software is software which comes completely free.  You
don't have to pay anything at all to anyone for the software itself.  There
usually is little if any official support from the author/publisher for the
software.

        Shareware software is software which is distributed freely, but a fee
comes along with the software.  For shareware software, you can copy and
distribute the software freely; however, if you use the software for an
extended period of time (ie. you didn't just look at it and delete it), then
you are expected to pay whatever fee the author asks that you pay to support
the author's ongoing work.  The shareware system is something of an "Honor
Code" regarding payments to the author for programs.  You can usually expect at
least some support for shareware software, printed (sometimes bound)
documentation, and other perks for registered shareware owners.  Some of the
shareware programs are actually better than any competing commercial products,
but only lack the pretty box and shelf space in a software store (and the usual
expensive price).

                                                Hope this helps,

                                                Jim Mc Ree
                                                President - V.U. ACM.