[OT] Freeware definition opinion

  • Thread starter Thread starter Paul
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P

Paul

Hi, got a question about an opinion on "freeware". :)

I want to release an app soon which, to all intents and purposes, is freeware.
You don't have to pay to download or use it. It doesn't time out or expire.
Nothing is missing or cripped. There are no nags or ads of any kind. There are
no alternative versions that do more. Pretty much what freeware is, right? :)

Now, the opinion question: The app uses data files that change. I intend to
offer updated versions of these files on my web site, for the user to download
and use with the app. However, I'm thinking that if the user makes a small
donation to the app, that they can be sent these updates via e-mail as a thank
you, or courtesy service, for making said donation. Anyone that doesn't donate
just has to download and install them manually.

Does this mean the app is no longer freeware? I would think not, because it's
not dissimilar to a freeware anti-virus app where the updates must be downloaded
manually.

So... what say ye? :)
 
Hi, got a question about an opinion on "freeware". :)

I want to release an app soon which, to all intents and purposes, is freeware.
You don't have to pay to download or use it. It doesn't time out or expire.
Nothing is missing or cripped. There are no nags or ads of any kind. There are
no alternative versions that do more. Pretty much what freeware is, right? :)

Now, the opinion question: The app uses data files that change. I intend to
offer updated versions of these files on my web site, for the user to download
and use with the app. However, I'm thinking that if the user makes a small
donation to the app, that they can be sent these updates via e-mail as a thank
you, or courtesy service, for making said donation. Anyone that doesn't donate
just has to download and install them manually.

Does this mean the app is no longer freeware? I would think not, because it's
not dissimilar to a freeware anti-virus app where the updates must be downloaded
manually.

So... what say ye? :)
Click to expand...

It's freeware.

All you're offering is an 'enhanced' delivery of updates - as long as
said updates are available for free and gratis by other means then I
can't see any problem at all.

It's very much like David Harris's approach to Pegasus, the program is
free, but if you want the extensive manuals it will cost you.

Regards,
 
Paul wrote in
The app uses data files that change. I intend to offer updated
versions of these files on my web site, for the user to download and
use with the app. However, I'm thinking that if the user makes a
small donation to the app, that they can be sent these updates via
e-mail as a thank you, or courtesy service, for making said donation.
Anyone that doesn't donate just has to download and install them
manually.
Click to expand...

Freeware IMO
 
-½cut said:
Freeware IMO
Click to expand...

Upon more thought, I've come to the conclusion that yes, my sending of
updates via e-mail (for a price) has zero to do with the app, and as such
the app is freeware no matter what. Thanks for your opinion, too. :)
 
Paul said:
That's what I was thinking. It'd be handled like this: I'd publish the
updated data file on my site, and then e-mail same file to all donors.
Thus, donors have the convenience of never missing an update, and all
others can still check manually and download it for themselves.
Click to expand...


So far what you are describing sounds like a free basic version and a
low cost plus version with easier updating.

If appropriate for the application, you might consider having an
option for the program to pull the update when it starts (or
periodically on a schedule) rather than sending email with an
attachment that requires user intervention. Or is that v.1.5?

BillR
 
Paul said:
Hi, got a question about an opinion on "freeware". :)
Click to expand...
I want to release an app soon which, to all intents and purposes, is freeware.
You don't have to pay to download or use it. It doesn't time out or expire.
Nothing is missing or cripped. There are no nags or ads of any kind. There are
no alternative versions that do more. Pretty much what freeware is, right? :)
Click to expand...
Now, the opinion question: The app uses data files that change. I intend to
offer updated versions of these files on my web site, for the user to download
and use with the app. However, I'm thinking that if the user makes a small
donation to the app, that they can be sent these updates via e-mail as a thank
you, or courtesy service, for making said donation. Anyone that doesn't donate
just has to download and install them manually.
Click to expand...
Does this mean the app is no longer freeware? I would think not, because it's
not dissimilar to a freeware anti-virus app where the updates must be downloaded
manually.
Click to expand...

I have a tough take on what's freeware and what's not[1], and I'd consider
that, as described, freeware.

[1]Consider me the other end of the spectrum from the "you cant stop me ill post
whatever i want you netkop" crowd.
 
Paul said:
Hi, got a question about an opinion on "freeware". :)

I want to release an app soon which, to all intents and purposes, is freeware.
You don't have to pay to download or use it. It doesn't time out or expire.
Nothing is missing or cripped. There are no nags or ads of any kind. There are
no alternative versions that do more. Pretty much what freeware is, right? :)
Click to expand...

So far so good.
Now, the opinion question: The app uses data files that change. I intend to
offer updated versions of these files on my web site, for the user to download
and use with the app. However, I'm thinking that if the user makes a small
donation to the app, that they can be sent these updates via e-mail as a thank
you, or courtesy service, for making said donation. Anyone that doesn't donate
just has to download and install them manually.
Click to expand...

That would make the application border on being "donationware". Not a
big deal at all since donationware is frequently discussed and
recommended here.
Does this mean the app is no longer freeware? I would think not, because it's
not dissimilar to a freeware anti-virus app where the updates must be downloaded
manually.

So... what say ye? :)
Click to expand...

I would say that it's freeware actually, since the updates can still
be downloaded manually for free.
 
If it's free as in "Speech", and free as in "Beer", it's freeware. Regardless of any other definition. LOL
--
Jack

P> Hi, got a question about an opinion on "freeware". :)

P> I want to release an app soon which, to all intents and purposes,
P> is freeware.
P> You don't have to pay to download or use it. It doesn't time out
P> or expire.
P> Nothing is missing or cripped. There are no nags or ads of any
P> kind. There are no alternative versions that do more. Pretty
P> much what freeware is, right? :)

P> Now, the opinion question: The app uses data files that change.
P> I intend to offer updated versions of these files on my web site,
P> for the user to download and use with the app. However, I'm
P> thinking that if the user makes a small donation to the app, that
P> they can be sent these updates via e-mail as a thank you, or
P> courtesy service, for making said donation. Anyone that doesn't
P> donate just has to download and install them manually.

P> Does this mean the app is no longer freeware? I would think not,
P> because it's not dissimilar to a freeware anti-virus app where
P> the updates must be downloaded manually.

P> So... what say ye? :)

--- Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2800.1106
* Origin: Unknown
 
BillR said:
So far what you are describing sounds like a free basic version and a
low cost plus version with easier updating.
Click to expand...

There's no other version though, unless you mean me, and I'm definitely
not software. :) That is, my mailing of updates to the kind donors is
not going to change the status of the app... or is it? Hmm. :)

Anyway, I won't be doing the automatic update idea as that would most
definitely turn the app from freeware into crippleware, at least in
some people's eyes.
 
If it's free as in "Speech", and free as in "Beer", it's freeware. Regardless of any other definition. LOL
Click to expand...

I totally disagree but what the hell, where is the free beer? :-)

BoB
 
Paul said:
Hi, got a question about an opinion on "freeware". :)

I want to release an app soon which, to all intents and
purposes, is freeware. You don't have to pay to download or use
it. It doesn't time out or expire. Nothing is missing or
cripped. There are no nags or ads of any kind. There are no
alternative versions that do more. Pretty much what freeware
is, right? :)

Now, the opinion question: The app uses data files that change.
I intend to offer updated versions of these files on my web
site, for the user to download and use with the app. However,
I'm thinking that if the user makes a small donation to the app,
that they can be sent these updates via e-mail as a thank you,
or courtesy service, for making said donation. Anyone that
doesn't donate just has to download and install them manually.

Does this mean the app is no longer freeware? I would think
not, because it's not dissimilar to a freeware anti-virus app
where the updates must be downloaded manually.

So... what say ye? :)
Click to expand...

Freeware.

And thank you. :)
 
So far so good.


That would make the application border on being "donationware".
Not a big deal at all since donationware is frequently discussed
and recommended here.


I would say that it's freeware actually, since the updates can
still be downloaded manually for free.
Click to expand...

Hmmm... Assuming the App is of any grave value, the entire scenario
sounds a bit flaky. I stress the reliance on external data files
that need to be updated (sound familiar?). What I envision, as a
good money grubber might, is said author making the process of
updating those data files so horribly difficult and time consuming
that only a full-fledged Linux/Windows guru could complete -> Hence
the need to donate (even though you can DL these from said author
website).

It might also be of value for said author to ensure that updates to
those data files only show up *LONG* after those that pay to play
have. Pay cash and get the updates quicker? -> Hence the need to
donate (even though you can DL these from said author website).

Fine. Only two points off the top of my head, but it sounds as if
Mr. Paul is trying to skirt around some freeware issues and needs
confirmation to do so. What would prompt a fairly competent computer
user to donate money to receive (via-email) data files that the
author is supposedly to offer (for free) on a website in the first
place.

Or maybe I just assumed too much...

[shrug]
 
Scott said:
I stress the reliance on external data files that need to be updated
Click to expand...

Recall that I said nothing is missing or crippled, and that the app
doesn't time out or expire (which using outdated data files would most
certainly cause). The data files are actually more like plug-ins, and
perhaps I should have used that term. So, the user can keep using the
older plug-ins, or download updated ones from my site (or by e-mail if
they are donors).
Pay cash and get the updates quicker?
Click to expand...

A good point, but this never even crossed my mind. You're starting to
corrupt my mind! :) Seriously though, I wouldn't do such a thing.
What would prompt a fairly competent computer user to donate money to
receive (via-email) data files
Click to expand...

Simple: the convenience of not having to monitor the website, and knowing
they'll always have the most up-to-date plug-ins for the app. Quite a
fair trade, IMO.
maybe I just assumed too much...
Click to expand...

Yep -- you have a far more evil mind than I. ;)
 
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