Shareware is software that is distributed in trial version on the honor system, free of charge. It is assumed that the user will pay for the full version of the product if he/she finds that it performs satisfactorily. Usually, the creator of the software requests a small fee. By paying this fee, the user becomes registered with the author, and is eligible to receive technical support and updates. Shareware can be copied and passed along to friends and colleagues, but they too are expected to pay a fee if they use the product. Shareware is inexpensive because it is usually produced by a single programmer who offers it directly to customers. Thus, there are few packaging or advertising expenses. Shareware differs from public-domain software in that Shareware is copyrighted. The user cannot sell a Shareware product as his or her own. |