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SOFTWARE LICENSE TYPES

WIKOPEDIA DEFINITIONS


FREEWARE
Is copyrighted computer software which is made available for use free of charge, for an unlimited time.


OPEN SOURCE
Software whose source code is published and made available to the public, enabling anyone to copy, modify and redistribute the source code without paying royalties or fees.


SHAREWARE
Where the user is required to pay after some trial period.


Other license types you might come across are:

DONATIONWARE
The authors ask that anyone using their software make a donation to the authors or to some third party such as a charity. Because the donation is optional, donationware may also be freeware or fall into some other category.


POSTCARDWARE
The software is essentially freeware, however the author requests the user to send a post card expressing thanks and providing feedback.


ADWARE
Distributed as freeware, but it requires the user to view advertisements to use the software.


SPYWARE
A type of program that watches after what users do with their computer and then send this information to a hacker over the internet. Spyware can collect many different types of information about a user. More benign programs can attempt to track what types of websites a user visits and send this information to an advertisement agency. More malicious versions can try to record what a user types to try to intercept passwords or credit card numbers. Yet other versions simply launch popups with advertisements

NOTE: 95% of software listings on this site have been researched and tested in order to distinguish what license type they fall under.
This site does not list any spyware programs or software that has continuous pop-up ads.