Software free-for-all: getting and using free software.

• Author: Sanders, James A.
• Position: Free Tech Resources

I Started my quest for the best free software several years ago. It seemed my retired relatives had finally discovered computers, motivated by the miracle of endless pictures of the grandkids. Since most of them are on fixed incomes, the cost of getting into the tech world is a real concern to them. So I started looking at what free or low-cost software is available--that covers the standard range of software used in a home or small office. In many cases the free programs are as good, or better, than the full-priced versions.

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Copyright Versus Copyleft

Most people are familiar with copyright. It's a protection system for intellectual property, such as books, records and software, that requires permission from the owner for use of the product. Copyright, which lasts for a fixed period of time, grants exclusive rights to an author or creator of an original work, including the right to copy, distribute and adapt the work. The work enters public domain once the copyright expires.

Copyleft is a play on the word copyright. It removes restrictions on copying and distributing a work for others, and requires that those freedoms be preserved in the modified versions.

Copyright law allows an author to prohibit others from reproducing, adapting or distributing copies of their work. A copyleft license gives a person that receives a copy of a work permission to do just the opposite--reproduce, adapt or distribute the work. In fact, it almost encourages that sharing.

The GNU General Public License was the first popular copyleft license, and it still dominates licensing of "copylefted" software. Many of the freeware programs available on the internet are covered by copyleft licenses. Others retain copyright status, but are provided free by the developer. The license agreement (yes, the one you didn't read) that appeared when you installed the software describes the actual license type.

Either way, you can gain access to a wide world of software that costs little or nothing.

Shareware, Freeware or Software?

Freeware is normally a fully functional program that can be used for an unlimited time with no cost. The freeware license, however, may impose restrictions on the type of use, such as personal, nonprofit or academic.

Shareware is proprietary software that's provided to users on a trial basis without an initial payment. The drawback is that the software maybe limited in functionality or ease of use. Shareware, available on the...