OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE

OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE

Open source software is software provided

for use, modification, and redistribution. 

This software has no restrictions from the 

copyright holder regarding modification of 

the software’s internal instructions and its 

  redistribution. Open source software usually 

  can be downloaded from the Internet, often 

  at no cost. 

  • Shareware is copyrighted software that is 

    distributed at no cost for a trial period. To 

    use a shareware program beyond that period, 

    you send payment to the program developer. 

    Shareware developers trust users to send pay- 

    ment if software use extends beyond the stated 

    trial period. In some cases, a scaled-down version 

    of the software is distributed free, and payment 

    entitles the user to the fully functional product. 

    • Freeware is copyrighted software provided 

      at no cost by an individual or a company 

      that retains all rights to the software. Thus, 

      programmers typically cannot incorporate 

      freeware in applications they intend to sell. 

      The word, free, in freeware indicates the 

      software has no charge. 

      • Public-domain software has been donated 

        for public use and has no copyright restrictions. 

        Anyone can copy or distribute public-domain 

        software to others at no cost.