Promotional software

Promotional software allows people to try out programs with limited amounts of data. For example, a promotional database program might limit the user to thirty records. Thus, promotional copies are not useful for regular workloads. They do, however, allow the user to become familiar with the program before buying the package.

Public domain software

Some very good software, and many marginal programs, are avialable to interested computer users free of charge. This public domain software is distributed through networks and by trading software with other computer users. Several magazines even operate reader services that provide lengthy catalogues of public domain listings. Pages full of utility and applications software are made available to anyone who requests it.

Great care should be taken when using public domain software. Free software comes with no guarantees concerning reliability. In some cases public domain software harbours a ‘virus’ or ‘worm’ that can erase data or damage equipment. To protect yourself, try to acquire public domain software from reliable sources, such as friends or local user groups. Special utility programs are also available that check for and neutralise infected software before it causes any problems.

Shareware

Public domain software is a ‘take it as it is’ proposition. However, several public domain software programmers continue to make improvements on their programs. To support this work, they ask for a small contribution from people to pass copies to others. As a result, this special type of ‘try before you buy’ software is known as shareware. People who support shareware programmers with a monetary donation usually receive a manual, as well as the next version of the program when it is ready.

User groups and professional associations

User groups provide fellowship among users who share an interest in computers. They also are good sources for public domain software, shareware, and programs developed by users themselves. Usually user groups consist of people interested in the same brand of computers. They meet to discuss shred problems and new ideas. New users who join these groups can learn a out the latest software and hardware developments for their machines.

User groups develop around many types and sizes of computers. Personal computer users generally form local groups. National user groups bring together users of large systems. In both cases computer interests spawn homemade programs that can be shared by all members of the group. Some programs are circulated among club members free of charge. Others are sold for the cost of the tape of disk. In general, the distribution of software by user/developers is not for profit.