What does Freeware and Shareware mean ?

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Some software that you download from the Internet may have a statement that says that this software is Freeware or that this software is Shareware.

Freeware means that you are able to download the software and use it for free.

Shareware means that you are normally provided the software on a trial period (typically 30 days) and then after this trial period is over you will need to register or purchase the software.

A lot of companies offer the facility to trial the software before you buy in the hope that the use of the software can sell the product.

It is worth noting that it is not possible for you to simply delete the Shareware program at the end of the trial period and download a new trial - although the program will be deleted from your hard drive there will still be a record retained and therefore downloading the software again will not reset the trial period.

Happy Online 14th July 2003

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