Re: Building An Apple ][ Software Archive

["Frank Townsend" <ftownsen@iamdigex.net>]

Why Paul, how positively Humpty Dumptian of you!

c.f. the following from _Through the Looking Glass_ (which is an
uncopyrighted public domain work):

***********************

"I don't know what you mean by 'glory,'" Alice said.
  Humpty Dumpty smiled contemptuously. "Of course you don't- till I tell
you. I meant 'there's a nice knock-down argument for you!'"
  "But 'glory' doesn't mean 'a nice knock-down argument,'" Alice
objected.
  "When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone,
"it means just what I choose it to mean- neither more nor less."
  "The question is," said Alice, "whether you can make words mean so
many different things."
  "The question is," said Humpty Dumpty, "which is to be master- that's
all."

**************************

Below are numerous independent definitions of freeware, all distinguishing
it from public domain material, either expressly or by clear implication.

Note that I only stopped accruing examples out of fatigue, not from any
dearth of them.

I have no problem with the redundancy "copyrighted freeware," since
constructions like this are often used by people who feel uncomfortable that
their meaning might be lost or misconstrued, and is just a stylistic matter
(e.g. "basic fundamentals", "past history").  But it is ingenuous to
continue to deny that freeware refers to copyrighted rather than PD material
(not that folks don't misuse it from time to time).

Like Humpty, you can make any meaning master, but at the risk of creating
confusion among readers not familiar with the Schlyter dialect (idiolect,
Jabberwocky?;-))


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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Linkname: freeware - Webopedia Definition and Links
URL: http://webopedia.internet.com/TERM/f/freeware.html

/\/\

freeware
  Copyrighted software given away for free by the author. Although it is
available for free, the author retains the copyright, which means that you
cannot do anything with it that is not expressly allowed by the author.
Usually, the author allows people to use the software, but not sell it.

\/\/

Linkname:
http--www.grin.net-~cturley-gsezine-GS.WorldView-v1999-Sep-ShrinkIt.v34.Y2K-
SHK3.DOCS.txt
URL:
http://www.grin.net/~cturley/gsezine/GS.WorldView/v1999/Sep/ShrinkIt.v34.Y2K
/SHK3.DOCS.txt

/\/\

  ShrinkIt is a Freeware program. This means that you are under no
obligation to pay the author anything for it, but the copyright is
retained by him. You are encouraged to distribute this program to
whomever you please.

\/\/

    Linkname: Searching the Web--Nebraska ASTD
    URL: http://www.astdnebraska.org/12_99-3.htm

/\/\

Freeware
Freeware, by definition, is copyrighted software given away free by the
author. This does not mean that anyone can do anything they want with the
software without the author's permission, as the author retains the
copyright as well. Normally the author allows others to distribute the
software, but not sell it. Some authors like to know who is using the
software and for what reason.

\/\/

    Linkname: Completely FREE Software - what is Shareware, Freeware &
Public Domain software
    URL: http://www.completelyfreesoftware.com/definitions.html

/\/\

Definition of Freeware

Freeware distribution gives users a chance to try software and continue to
use it for no payment at all or just for some acknowledgment (a thank you
note, a postcard, some suggestions, comments, etc.).

Copyright laws apply to both Freeware and retail software, and the copyright
holder retains all rights, with a few specific exceptions as stated below.
Freeware authors are generally accomplished programmers, just like
retail/shareware authors, and the programs are of comparable quality. (In
both cases, there are good programs and bad ones!) The main differences is
in the method of distribution and the fact that there is no charge for using
the software. The author specifically grants the right to copy and
distribute the software, either to all and sundry or to a specific group.
For example, some authors require written permission before a commercial
disk vendor may copy their Freeware.

\/\/

    Linkname: Freeware Definition
    URL: http://home1.gte.net/welliver/freeware.htm

/\/\

What is "Freeware"?
Meal-Master is fully copyrighted and is not in the public domain. All
rights are retained by the author (Scott Welliver) and Episoft Systems.

Previously distributed as "shareware", beginning with release 8.06
Meal-Master is now considered "freeware" for most uses. Freeware
distribution allows individuals and non-profit organizations to use the
software at no charge. The software cannot be "sold", "rented", or
otherwise distributed in a "for profit" enterprise. Companies,
government agencies, and for profit organizations must contact the
author for specific licensing costs and terms of use.

\/\/

    Linkname: Aeschbi explains Public Domain, Freeware & Shareware
    URL: http://village.ch/~aeschbacher/pdshare.html

/\/\

Freeware
In contrast to Public Domain, Freeware software is copyrighted. Anybody can
freely distribute or use the program but it is not allowed to change any
part of it nor distribute it without all original files included.
Programming is an art just as painting. Once the painter has finished his
masterpiece he certainly wants to show it to others. Similarly, the
programmer is proud of his program and wants that others can benefit of it.
With Freeware, he retains his copyright and because the program is free it
can spread throughout the universe!

\/\/


    Linkname: CALAVERAS P.C. GROUP - ODDS & ENDS
    URL:http://www.goldrush.com/~pcgroup/oddend.html

/\/\

FREEWARE is related to, BUT NOT, the same as public domain software.
Freeware requires no registration fee or reimbursement for use by the public
but the copyright is RETAINED BY THE AUTHOR who notes a copyright
restriction within the body or documentation of the software. A reason for
this subtle difference is that the author may, at a future date, wish to
reclaim all or part of the software or modify and re-issue the software as
shareware or commercial software.

\/\/

    Linkname: Article from September 1996 Issue of T.H.E. Journal
    URL: http://www.thejournal.com/magazine/vault/A807.cfm

/\/\

Both public domain and freeware can be given to anyone without any legal
restrictions when provided as specified. Normally public domain is not
copyrighted while freeware has been copyrighted.

\/\/

    Linkname: What is Shareware
    URL: http://zpay.com/whatis.htm

/\/\

Maintaining a copyright does not necessarily imply charging a fee, so it is
perfectly possible and legal to have copyrighted programs which are
distributed free of charge. Such programs are sometimes termed "freeware." .
. . .In any case, the fact that a program is free does not mean that it is
in the public domain -- though this is a common confusion.

\/\/

    Linkname: http--www.empowermentzone.com-shareuse.txt
    URL: http://www.empowermentzone.com/shareuse.txt

/\/\

FREEWARE is related to BUT NOT the same as public domain
       software. Freeware requires no registration fee or reimbursement
       for use by the public but the copyright is RETAINED BY THE
       AUTHOR who notes a copyright restriction within the body or
       documentation of the software. A reason for this subtle
       difference is that the author may, at a future date, wish to
       reclaim all or part of the software or modify and reissue
       the software as shareware or commercial software. The copyright
       continues the unique claim of the author to the product.

\/\/

    Linkname: http--209.140.206.201-files-infoserv-tech-software.txt
    URL: http://209.140.206.201/files/infoserv/tech/software.txt

/\/\

First, lets talk shareware, freeware and public domain. These
terms are not synonymous. Public-domain software is software that
is owned by no one. That is, anyone can use it, sell it, give it
away, modify it or do whatever they want with it. Freeware, on the
other hand, carries copyright protection.

\/\/

    Linkname: CIL Ethics Instruction Module
    URL: http://cilserver.ser.usu.edu/ethics_instruction_module.html

/\/\

Freeware license. Freeware is copyrighted software that is licensed to be
copied and distributed without charge. Some freeware (Pegasus Mail, Eudora
Light, Netscape, Internet Explorer, etc.) is really good stuff, but it's not
in the public domain. That is, freeware is free only because its license
says it is; the software is still under the owner's control. Thus, most
freeware licenses prohibit the sale or modification of the software without
the owner's permission, and they often limit the groups that are able to get
the software free.

\/\/

    Linkname: Dani's Page - Epilogue
    http://nml.ru.ac.za/CARR/dani/epilogue.htm

4) Is Shareware public domain?
Although some people think that shareware and freeware are public domain,
that is completely untrue. A copyright automatically accrues to any software
that is distributed, so an author has to stipulate specifically that their
program
is public domain. Freeware may contain some public domain software, but in
general, it is software that can be used freely without paying the
programmer, but
for which the author retains the copyright to the software.


    Linkname: Glossary of Terms
    URL: http://helpdesk.calpoly.edu/html/body_glossary_of_terms.htm

/\/\

Freeware
Freeware is a class of software that you can download, pass around, and
distribute without payment. However, it's still copyrighted, so you can't
turn around and decompile it or sell it as your own (as you can with a
public domain program). Freeware was originally a trademark of Andrew
Fluegelman, the founder of shareware, but ironically the word has passed
into the public domain.

\/\/

----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Schlyter" <pausch@saafNOSPAM.se>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2000 7:54 AM
Subject: Re: Building An Apple ][ Software Archive

> In the future I'll continue to use the word "freeware" to include
> public domain software, just like I'll use the work "hacker" to
> refer to a computer enthusiast rather than a computer criminal.
> But in both cases I'll be aware that others may attach a different
> meaning to these words than I do.